SEC, Big Ten release joint statement on Protect College Sports Act, cite 'critical issues' with bill

Key Points:

• The Big Ten and SEC jointly oppose the Protect College Sports Act in its current form, citing unresolved critical issues such as ineffective preemption of state laws, limited rulemaking flexibility, increased litigation risk, and altered revenue sharing that may reduce payments to student-athletes.
• Both conferences support a sustainable national framework for college sports with clear eligibility standards, an effective transfer portal, and protections for student-athletes, and plan to collaborate with Senators Cruz and Cantwell to improve the legislation.
• The bipartisan Senate bill, introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, targets transfers, coach movement (including the "Lane Kiffin Rule" preventing mid-season coach departures), and proposes pooling media rights if 75% of FBS schools agree, though the SEC has expressed significant resistance to media rights pooling.
• A Senate hearing on the bill is scheduled for Wednesday, with notable invitees including former Alabama coach Nick Saban, Notre Dame athletics director Pete Bevacqua, and Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould, as lawmakers seek input on preserving college sports traditions while protecting athletes' rights.
• Senator Cruz emphasizes that the Protect College Sports Act aims to maintain college athletics' educational focus, prevent it from becoming professionalized like the NFL or NBA, and balance the interests of fans, athletes, and institutions.