Protect College Sports Act is finalized. What is in the final draft?

Key Points:

• The 171-page Protect College Sports Act, co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, and Eric Schmitt, is being sent to U.S. Senators for review and a potential floor vote this week before the August recess begins.
• The bill includes major concessions to gain support from the Big Ten and SEC, addressing concerns beyond those conferences, and retains key provisions like the “Lane Kiffin Rule” that penalizes mid-season coaching transitions in college football.
• It seeks to regulate transfer rules by allowing a one-time transfer without penalty and exceptions for specific circumstances, establish a national registry for agents representing student-athletes, and enforce stricter recruitment and tampering guidelines.
• The bill proposes revenue-sharing expansions with potential increases to $45 million by 2027, enhanced protections for collective sports broadcasting negotiations, and mandates local market access for college football and basketball games.
• Title III, the “Ignite HBCUs Sports and Media Act,” aims to provide federal grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities to improve broadband, technology, media, and sports broadcasting infrastructure.