Sens. Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell Reach Deal on College Sports Legislation

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced sweeping legislation aimed at reshaping the future of college athletics and bringing stability to the rapidly changing landscape of collegiate sports.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) unveiled on May 27 the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, a proposal designed to address growing concerns surrounding athlete compensation, transfer rules, conference realignment, and long-term athlete protections.
Among the most significant provisions is an exemption for the NCAA from certain antitrust laws, along with a nationwide standard for name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules that would override the current patchwork of state laws.
The legislation would grant student-athletes five seasons of eligibility to be used within a five-year window and limit athletes to one transfer during their college careers. Division I schools would also be required to honor scholarships for up to 10 years after an athlete’s final season….