Big Ten and SEC Reach Consensus on College Sports Legislation

WHO:

AP News - School presidents from both the Big Ten and SEC voted to support the bill after receiving last-minute concessions.

nbcsports.com - Cody Campbell, a Texas Tech regent, called the SEC and Big Ten support “a major breakthrough that moves us closer to a Senate vote — and a better future” for college sports.

NY Post - The SEC and Big Ten are involved in the negotiations regarding collegiate sports legislation.

nbcsports.com - Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are involved in the legislative process.

WHAT:

nbcsports.com - The bill would provide a stricter revenue-share cap of roughly $48.8 million, which includes a $22.5 million retention pool and $5 million restricted to women’s and non-revenue sports.

Tomahawk Nation - The bill caps power conference membership at 19 schools and requires any program moving from one power league to another to operate as an independent for five years first.

AP News - The bill includes a new provision that would allocate $27.5 million to schools to retain players, in addition to the existing $21.3 million cap.

AP News - Senator Ted Cruz stated on social media, “Let’s save college sports,” following the Big Ten and SEC's support for the bill.

AP News - NCAA President Charlie Baker urged for the immediate passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, stating, “It is long past time leaders across college sports call for the immediate passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act.”

NY Post - The SEC and Big Ten have agreed to support a bipartisan college sports bill.

nbcsports.com - The bill is called the “Protect College Sports Act” and aims to restore order to issues stemming from antitrust violations.

nbcsports.com - The bill would provide a limited antitrust exemption to the NCAA and various conferences, implement a one-time transfer rule, and create a stricter revenue-sharing cap.

nbcsports.com - The bill would prevent coaches from leaving their teams before a season ends, referred to as “the Lane Kiffin Rule.”

nbcsports.com - A vote in the full Senate is expected next week.

WHEN:

nbcsports.com - The Senate is running out of time to pass the bill before a one-month recess and the midterm elections in November.

WHY:

Tomahawk Nation - The provisions regarding the 19-member cap and five-year independence requirement would financially hinder schools attempting to change conferences.

AP News - The bill aims to address issues stemming from the NCAA's recent court losses regarding eligibility rules for Division I athletes.

nbcsports.com - The bill aims to address chaos from decades of rampant antitrust violations in collegiate sports.

nbcsports.com - The restrictions on player pay in high-revenue sports are intended to help subsidize low-revenue sports.

HOW:

AP News - The SEC and Big Ten changed course after lawmakers raised the proposed athlete compensation limit and tightened restrictions on payments through affiliated sponsors.

AP News - The Big Ten and SEC's support for the bill followed last-minute concessions over language regarding third-party name-image-likeness deals.

nbcsports.com - The agreement was reached after negotiations between the SEC, Big Ten, and lawmakers.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 22:15 UTC)

School presidents from both the Big Ten and SEC have voted to support a new bill after receiving last-minute concessions, marking a significant step toward a Senate vote on college sports reform. The bill proposes a stricter revenue-share cap of approximately $48.8 million, which includes a retention pool and funds specifically allocated for women’s and non-revenue sports, while also capping power conference membership at 19 schools and requiring a five-year independent operation for programs changing leagues. This shift in support comes after lawmakers adjusted the proposed athlete compensation limit and imposed tighter restrictions on payments through affiliated sponsors, with Texas Tech regent Cody Campbell calling it a major breakthrough for the future of college athletics.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 16:20 UTC)

A new bill has been introduced that allocates $27.5 million to schools for player retention, in addition to an existing cap of $21.3 million, as NCAA President Charlie Baker calls for its immediate passage. Senator Ted Cruz expressed his support on social media, stating, “Let’s save college sports,” following backing from the Big Ten and SEC, which came after last-minute changes to third-party name-image-likeness deal language. This legislation aims to tackle challenges arising from the NCAA's recent court losses related to eligibility rules for Division I athletes.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 11:22 UTC)

The SEC and Big Ten have come together to support a bipartisan college sports bill known as the "Protect College Sports Act," which aims to restore order to longstanding antitrust issues in collegiate athletics. This legislation, backed by Senators Eric Schmitt and Ted Cruz, would provide a limited antitrust exemption to the NCAA and various conferences, implement a one-time transfer rule, and introduce stricter revenue-sharing caps, along with a provision preventing coaches from leaving their teams before the season ends, dubbed "the Lane Kiffin Rule." A vote in the full Senate is expected next week, as lawmakers rush to pass the bill before a one-month recess and the midterm elections in November.