SEC and Big Ten support college sports bill ahead of Senate vote

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 1, 2026, 4:20 PM

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

SEC and Big Ten support college sports bill ahead of Senate vote

Summary

The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference announced support for a bipartisan Senate bill aimed at regulating college sports on Friday night. This development could enable the Protect College Sports Act to gather the necessary 60 votes for a full Senate vote before the upcoming summer recess. Key changes in the bill involve increased financial measures for retaining players and stronger oversight on third-party name-image-likeness deals. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, who spearheaded the legislation, expressed optimism about the bill's progress. However, challenges remain, particularly with some Senate opposition and the need for passage in the House of Representatives.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•SEC and Big Ten voted to support the Protect College Sports Act.
•The bill seeks to standardize regulations on player compensation.
•Negotiations led to a revised financial framework for player retention.
•The Senate aims to hold a vote before the summer break next week.
•Opposition from some senators remains a significant hurdle.

Latest Updates

2:29 PMYahoo Sports — SEC, Big Ten add long-missing support to college sports bill and revive its chances in the Senate

What they're saying

"
The Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences agreed Friday night to support a Senate bill that seeks to regulate college sports, ending a breakneck week of negotiations and pulling the bipartisan measure out of what looked like a certain death spiral. School presidents from both conferences voted to back the bill after receiving last-minute concessions over language regarding third-party name-image-likeness deals and the so-called “associated entities” that often broker those arrangements between players and schools. More details need to be worked out, but the headline is that the bill still has a chance to earn the 60 votes it needs to halt debate and head to an up-or-down vote before the Senate heads for summer break next Friday.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

College Sports