S. 4668 · 119th Congress

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

Introduced on Jun 2, 2026 by Ted Cruz (R-TX). 9 cosponsors, 5 of them from another party. Latest action (Sep 28, 2026): Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S5044-5063)

Stage
Passed one chamber
Introduced
Jun 2, 2026
Cosponsors
9
5 from the other party
Policy area
Sports and Recreation
Open in the Congress explorerCongress.govAlert me

Progress

The furthest stage the measure reached. Simple and concurrent resolutions do not go to the President.

  1. Introduced
  2. Reported by committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. 4Passed both chambers
  5. 5Sent to the President
  6. 6Became law

Official title

A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

Subjects

  • Athletes
  • Contracts and agency
  • Digital media
  • Higher education
  • Inflation and prices
  • Intellectual property
  • Licensing and registrations
  • School athletics
  • State and local government operations
  • Television and film
  • User charges and fees
  • Wages and earnings

Summary

By the Congressional Research Service (Reported to Senate, Jun 24, 2026). Public domain.

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights. The requirements address elements of the court-approved agreement to settle In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement).

First, the bill statutorily prohibits institutions, conferences, or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations (e.g., the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA]) from restricting student athletes from entering NIL agreements (subject to specified limitations). Students must report to their institution NIL compensation greater than $600.

The bill requires agents to register with a state and caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5%.

The bill also provides student athletes with one transfer without losing athletic eligibility and restricts football personnel from becoming the head football coach at a different institution during the same season.

Further, the bill prohibits institutions, conferences, or specified entities acting for the benefit of an institution from providing athletes with compensation that circumvents the limit on sharing revenue with student athletes established under the House settlement. The bill also makes the limit permanent and provides for an annual inflation adjustment.

The bill generally prohibits Division I conferences from reducing the number of varsity or Olympic sports teams that a member institution must sponsor. Specifically, large institutions ($80 million or more in annual athletics revenue) must offer and maintain at least as many grant-in-aid opportunities and roster spots for sports that do not generate positive net revenue as the institution provided during academic year 2024-25. The bill provides for a waiver of this requirement under certain circumstances of financial hardship and the requirements expire nine years after the enactment of the bill.

Additionally, the bill establishes (subject to specified conditions) a limited antitrust exemption for institutions or conferences that form joint agreements to transfer their sports telecasting rights to a third party. Such an agreement requires participation from at least 75% of the institutions in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Sponsor and cosponsors

Cosponsors by party as of the day they signed on. Original cosponsors signed on the day of introduction.

Ted CruzR-TXSponsor

Democrats · 5

Republicans · 4

Roll calls

Recorded votes on the measure. Most measures move by voice vote or unanimous consent, which record no individual positions.

  1. On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
    Sep 15, 2026· Senate· Cloture· Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to 74–24
  2. On the Motion to Proceed
    Sep 17, 2026· Senate· Procedural· Motion to Proceed Agreed to 77–22
  3. On the Cloture Motion
    Sep 22, 2026· Senate· Cloture· Cloture Motion Agreed to 70–21
  4. On the Amendment
    Sep 24, 2026· Senate· Amendments· Amendment Agreed to 77–23
  5. On the Cloture Motion
    Sep 24, 2026· Senate· Cloture· Cloture Motion Agreed to 74–25
  6. On the Amendment
    Sep 28, 2026· Senate· Amendments· Amendment Agreed to 96–1
  7. On the Amendment
    Sep 28, 2026· Senate· Amendments· Amendment Rejected 1–94
  8. On the Amendment
    Sep 28, 2026· Senate· Amendments· Amendment Rejected 42–54
  9. On the Amendment
    Sep 28, 2026· Senate· Amendments· Amendment Rejected 49–50
  10. On the Amendment
    Sep 28, 2026· Senate· Amendments· Amendment Rejected 47–52
  11. On Passage of the Bill
    Sep 28, 2026· Senate· Passage· Bill Passed 77–22

History

Every action as published, oldest first. Roll calls link to how each member voted.

  1. Jun 2, 2026Introduced in Senate
  2. Jun 2, 2026 · SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  3. Jun 18, 2026 · SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  4. Jun 24, 2026Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  5. Jun 24, 2026 · SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  6. Jun 24, 2026 · SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.
  7. Aug 5, 2026 · SenateMotion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)
  8. Aug 5, 2026 · SenateCloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)
  9. Sep 15, 2026 · SenateCloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 235. (CR S4715-4716)Senate · Roll call 235
  10. Sep 15, 2026 · SenateMotion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
  11. Sep 16, 2026 · SenateMotion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4743)
  12. Sep 17, 2026 · SenateMotion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4773-4774)
  13. Sep 17, 2026 · SenateMotion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 236. (CR S4773-4774)Senate · Roll call 236
  14. Sep 17, 2026 · SenateMeasure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4777-4790)
  15. Sep 17, 2026 · SenateMotion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 6781) made in Senate. (CR S4789)
  16. Sep 17, 2026 · SenateCloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4789)
  17. Sep 22, 2026 · SenateMotion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 6781) fell when cloture was invoked on amendment SA 6776 in Senate.
  18. Sep 22, 2026 · SenateConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4851)
  19. Sep 23, 2026 · SenateConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4885)
  20. Sep 24, 2026 · SenateConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4959-4962)
  21. Sep 24, 2026 · SenateCloture on the measure, as amended, invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 25. Record Vote Number: 243.Senate · Roll call 243
  22. Sep 24, 2026 · SenateThe committee substitute tabled by Voice Vote.
  23. Sep 28, 2026 · SenateConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5021-5064)
  24. Sep 28, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S5044-5063)Senate · Roll call 250
  25. Sep 28, 2026 · SenatePassed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S5044-5063)Senate · Roll call 250

Committees

Committees and subcommittees the measure was referred to.

Agencies in its committees' jurisdiction

Analisa's mapping of committee jurisdiction to federal agencies; the bill may touch others, or none of these.

Who lobbied on it

Organizations whose lobbying reports (LD-2) name this measure. Spending is what they reported for those quarters on all issues, not on this measure alone.

  1. Saving College Sports4 reports
    $190K reported (all issues)
  2. American Association for Justice3 reports
    $1.8M reported (all issues)
  3. NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS' ASSOCIATION INC3 reports
    $160K reported (all issues)
  4. Amazon.com Services LLC2 reports
    $4.4M reported (all issues)Federal contractor: AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC$285.9K in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  5. American Football Coaches Association2 reports
    $10K reported (all issues)
  6. Baylor University2 reports
    $90K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: BAYLOR UNIVERSITY$1.3M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  7. NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION2 reports
    $260K reported (all issues)
  8. NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE2 reports
  9. Pac-12 Conference2 reports
    $100K reported (all issues)
  10. Stanford University2 reports
    $130K reported (all issues)
  11. The University of Alabama System2 reports
    $60K reported (all issues)
  12. UNITED STATES OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE2 reports
    $120K reported (all issues)
  13. University of Connecticut2 reports
    $120K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT$5.3M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  14. AFL-CIO1 report
    $760K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: AFL-CIO WORKING FOR AMERICA INSTITUTE, INC. (THE)AI match · 92%
  15. ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM1 report
    $40K reported (all issues)
  16. Arizona State University1 report
    Federal contractor: ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY$22.6M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  17. BOARD OF REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM1 report
    $105K reported (all issues)
  18. Big 12 Conference1 report
    $40K reported (all issues)
  19. Big Ten Conference, Inc.1 report
    $120K reported (all issues)
  20. Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University1 report
    $10K reported (all issues)
  21. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY1 report
    $70K reported (all issues)
  22. CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS INC.1 report
    $2.5M reported (all issues)Federal contractor: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC$130.5K in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  23. Colorado State University Foundation1 report
    $60K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY$3.7M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 91%
  24. Committee to Support the Antitrust Laws1 report
    $30K reported (all issues)
  25. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE1 report
    $80K reported (all issues)
  26. Davidson College1 report
    $30K reported (all issues)
  27. Demand Progress Action, Inc1 report
  28. Disney Worldwide Services, Inc.1 report
    $1.4M reported (all issues)
  29. Duke University1 report
    Federal contractor: DUKE UNIVERSITY$56.3M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  30. ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION1 report
    $1.4M reported (all issues)
  31. Eastern Michigan University1 report
    $10K reported (all issues)
  32. Georgia State University Research Foundation1 report
    $30K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION INCAI match · 100%
  33. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY1 report
    $350K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY$30.2M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  34. MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY1 report
    $20K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY$1.8M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  35. MICHIGAN STATE UNIV1 report
    $90K reported (all issues)Federal contractor: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY$2.1M in contracts, FY2026AI match · 100%
  36. Major League Soccer Players Association1 report
    $10K reported (all issues)
  37. NATIONAL ASSN OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES1 report
    $125K reported (all issues)
  38. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS1 report
    $2.6M reported (all issues)Federal contractor: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERSAI match · 100%
  39. NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION1 report
    $10K reported (all issues)
  40. NCTA - THE INTERNET & TELEVISION ASSOCIATION1 report
    $3.2M reported (all issues)

Reports filed in 2026.

Sources and method

Every figure on this page traces to these records.

  • Bill status: bills and resolutions, sponsors, actions, subjects and CRS summaries (U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo), from Congress.gov (Library of Congress))GovInfo Bill Status bulk data (Congress.gov; summaries by the Congressional Research Service) · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Members of Congress, their terms, committees and identifiers (The @unitedstates project (from the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, the House and the Senate))unitedstates/congress-legislators: legislators, committees and current committee membership · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication)
  • House roll-call votes (Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, roll-call vote records · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Senate roll-call votes and DW-NOMINATE scores (Voteview (UCLA Department of Political Science))Lewis, Jeffrey B., Keith Poole, Howard Rosenthal, Adam Boche, Aaron Rudkin, and Luke Sonnet (2026). Voteview: Congressional Roll-Call Votes Database. https://voteview.com/ · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Free to use with the required citation
  • Lobbying disclosures (LD-1 registrations, LD-2 quarterly reports, LD-203 contribution reports) (Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives)Clerk of the House, Lobbying Disclosure Act filings (organizations only; lobbyists' names are not loaded) · data current to Oct 5, 2026 · loaded Oct 5, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Positions are shown only where a roll call recorded them; voice votes and unanimous consent record none.
  • Money and votes are shown side by side; neither explains the other.