Legislation overhauling college sports faces Senate test
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, designed to regulate player payments, limit transfers, and restrict in-season coaching changes, faces a key Senate Commerce Committee debate and potential vote on Thursday.
- The bill, negotiated by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, has support from several athletic conferences, the NFL, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, but lacks endorsement from major conferences like the SEC and Big Ten.
- The revised bill is expected to include additional protections for women’s and Olympic sports, with the Olympic committee urging swift Senate action.
- Support and opposition cross party lines, with some Republicans and Democrats undecided or opposing the bill, reflecting the complex interests of influential college sports programs.
- Lawmakers anticipate possible amendments during the hearing, as they continue negotiations to address concerns from key stakeholders such as the Big Ten Conference.
