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After weeks of intense back-and-forth, the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten have agreed to back the Senate's newly introduced college athletics reform legislation. The two powerhouse conferences announced their support late Friday night for the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill that would introduce federal oversight and sanctions on collegiate sports.
The agreement came after prolonged discussions with the Senate Commerce Committee, which had been working to refine the bill's provisions on conference expansion and athlete compensation. Initially, many conference officials expressed reservations that the legislation did not fully address their concerns, but the final version won them over.
In a joint statement released Friday evening, the Big Ten and SEC said they support the bill as currently drafted, citing detailed and productive negotiations with Senators Cruz, Cantwell, and Schmitt, along with their staffs. This unified backing is seen as a significant step forward, potentially prompting Majority Leader John Thune to schedule a floor vote before the Senate's August recess. However, whether the bill can secure the necessary 60 votes in the chamber remains uncertain.
Key Provisions of the Protect College Sports Act
The legislation includes measures to limit coach movement during the season, prohibit former professional athletes from returning to college play, and allow the NCAA and the College Sports Commission to enforce a cap on athlete compensation. The latest draft also strengthens enforcement rules around associated entities, which was a crucial factor in winning conference support, according to Politico.
The ACC and Big 12 also held discussions with their university leaders about the bill on Thursday afternoon, indicating broader interest across major conferences. NCAA President Charlie Baker issued a statement Friday calling for immediate passage, emphasizing that the bill has support from student-athlete leaders, both parties, and NCAA schools across all three divisions.
The White House also played a role in brokering the agreement, with President Donald Trump reportedly threatening to publicly criticize the SEC and Big Ten on social media if they did not get on board. An administration official confirmed to Politico that the White House has been closely monitoring the negotiations and that the President has been actively engaged.
Originally reported by headtopics.