Senator Ted Cruz proposes legislation to regulate college sports transfer and eligibility
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 2:07 PM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
Senator Ted Cruz appeared on College GameDay on September 12, 2026, to advocate for the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. The proposed legislation seeks to establish federal rules for college athletes, including a one-time free transfer limit and a maximum of five years of eligibility ending at age 24. Cruz stated that these measures aim to curb rising costs and address the instability caused by current transfer portal practices. According to the senator, the lack of uniform regulations is creating financial distress for athletic departments, which he argued may lead to the elimination of women’s and non-revenue sports. The bill intends to standardize name, image, and likeness compensation while providing a structured framework for athletic programs to remain competitive. Cruz emphasized that federal intervention is necessary to restore order to the collegiate.
- •Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Protect College Sports Act on September 12, 2026.
- •The bill limits athletes to one free transfer and a total of five years of eligibility.
- •Athletes would face a mandatory eligibility cutoff at age 24 under the proposal.
- •Cruz cited financial losses in collegiate athletic departments as a primary driver for the legislation.
- •The act aims to standardize NIL compensation and protect non-revenue and Olympic sports.
- 2:07 PMYahoo Sports — Texas Senator Ted Cruz pitches Protect College Sports Act on College GameDay, warns against what will happen without action
"Senator Ted Cruz sent a dire warning if Congress does not pass the Protect College Sports Act. In about five years, in Cruz’s estimation, football and other sports will be in an unrecognizable state. The biggest things for Cruz are the transfer rules and a hard out on eligibility for college athletes. You get one […]
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