The Protect College Sports Act passed with a 77-22 vote, according to the New York Post. It is a massive federal shift that changes the game for every fan and family.
Here is the thing. The bill grants the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption. As the Washington Examiner observed, this enables schools to generate significantly more revenue and retain it entirely. But there is a ceiling. The legislation raises the limit on direct payments to around $49 million per school. This is more than double the $21.5 million cap from a 2025 settlement. The Daily Caller reported that this move creates a federal framework for Name, Image, and Likeness deals. It also mandates out-of-pocket medical coverage for injuries at Division I schools.
Chris Murphy is running for president, so the only thing he cares about is making every trial lawyer in America happy.
He wants every college to be sued nonstop. He wants no rules whatsoever. He wants every college athlete turned into an employee and a union member to give union… pic.twitter.com/3PqSIGzmI5
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 16, 2026
Schools with over $80 million in annual revenue face new rules. For nine years, roster spots and women's sports teams cannot be reduced below 2024-25 levels. This protects the small programs while the big ones get paid. According to the Daily Signal, enactment of this law would impact over 500,000 college athletes annually in America.
Wait, stay with me. This was not a one-party win. The bill was co-authored by Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell. It passed with broad bipartisan support, per the Washington Times. Yet, 19 Democrats voted no, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Even Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Rick Scott voted against it. Sen. Bernie Sanders also cast a no vote, according to the Daily Signal.
Senator Cruz called the move a victory for order. He wrote in an X post that "College sports is at a breaking point." The legislation, he promised, would bring order back to a system fractured by excessive litigation and insufficient rules.For America, the fans, the schools, and the athletes, he argued that college sports deserve to be saved. The New York Post carried his full statement. Cruz said the vote ensures every team has a chance to compete.
And this is where it changes. Behind the scenes, the money was moving fast. Lobbyists spent at least $31 million on college athletics, including work on this bill. The Daily Caller revealed that 36 members of the NCAA's four most powerful conferences lobbied heavily. Over 60 colleges joined the effort. Schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Western Michigan University were among those pushing for the measure.
Senator John Thune celebrated the win on social media. He said it will "restore stability in college athletics." The bill now heads to the House. Cruz holds that the House might approve the bill within a single day. According to The Daily Signal, he stated his belief that the speaker would recall the House to enact this bill. The clock starts now for the athletes and the schools.
