SEC, Big Ten vote to support Congressional college sports bill after mad scramble

Key Points:

• The Big Ten and SEC conferences have agreed to support the Protect College Sports Act after intense negotiations with U.S. senators and White House involvement, advancing the legislation's prospects.
• The bill includes provisions to strengthen the athlete revenue-share cap by requiring school-affiliated sponsors and apparel brands to certify their NIL agreements are legitimate and not school-directed, aiming to prevent cap circumvention.
• Key components of the legislation grant the NCAA limited antitrust exemptions, standardize eligibility rules, ban professional athletes from returning to college, establish an agent registry with a minimum fee, and set a stricter athlete compensation cap raised to $48.8 million.
• The bill also limits power conference membership to 19 schools, imposes a five-year independent status for schools switching conferences, and prohibits coaches from leaving teams mid-season, known as the "Lane Kiffin Rule."
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune aims to file cloture early next week to schedule a vote before the Senate recess, but a crowded agenda and midterm election cycle could delay final passage despite bipartisan support.