Senate negotiators work with SEC, Big Ten on college sports bill

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jul 29, 2026, 10:35 PM

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

Senate negotiators work with SEC, Big Ten on college sports bill
Summary

Senate negotiators are in discussions with SEC and Big Ten leaders over revisions to the Protect College Sports Act. The sponsors, Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, aim to have the bill voted on before the Senate's summer break begins on August 7. Key points of negotiation include a proposed $20 million retention pool for players and concerns about how revenue-sharing increases could affect third-party payments to athletes. Lawmakers are also addressing requests for changes regarding antitrust protections and the number of required sports programs. The conversations are expected to continue as the Senate plans to reconvene in mid-September.

Source Links
Status Watch
  • Negotiations involve SEC and Big Ten leaders.
  • Senate aims for a vote by August 7.
  • Proposed $20 million retention pool for athletes.
  • Discussions include antitrust protections and sports program requirements.
  • Senate will reconvene in mid-September.
Latest Updates
  • 10:35 PMYahoo SportsSenators still working with SEC, Big Ten on thorny issues involved in college sports bill
What they're saying
"

Senate negotiators worked Wednesday to resolve thorny differences with leaders of the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences over revisions to a bill designed to regulate college sports that sponsors want a vote on before the chamber goes on summer break next week. “Those conversations are ongoing,” said one of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Cruz and co-sponsor Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., are pushing to bring the Protect College Sports Act to a vote before Aug. 7, the last day the Senate meets before going on break.

Related Teams & Leagues

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days