Senators introduce bipartisan college sports bill with transfer, coaching movement enforcement
On3 • • sports
Key Points:
- Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have introduced the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, aiming to reform college athletics with a narrow antitrust exemption for the NCAA and new transfer enforcement rules.
- The legislation would limit athletes to one transfer, establish a five-year eligibility rule, cap agent fees at 5%, and bar coaches from leaving teams mid-season, known as the “Lane Kiffin rule.”
- It allows schools to collectively pool media rights if at least 75% of the 138 FBS schools agree, potentially excluding major conferences like the Big Ten and SEC.
- The bill grants antitrust protections for transfers, eligibility, and compensation caps, and empowers the College Sports Commission to enforce rules without legal challenges.
- The Protect College Sports Act follows the failure of the NCAA-backed SCORE Act and faces a tight timeline in the Senate, with slim chances of progress after the August recess due to upcoming midterm elections.