On Sept. 15 the U.S Senate voted 74-24 to invoke cloture on the Protect College Sports Act. Having surpassed the three-fifths supermajority requirement the Senate has voted to end the filibuster. There has since been a procedural vote, 70-21, to advance the bipartisan bill, which now awaits a final up-down vote to reach the House of Representatives.
The Protect College Sports Act involves establishing a federal standard for student-athletes’ rights to their name, image and likeness, more commonly known as NIL. As well as revenue sharing and retention funds up to 22.5 million, allowing schools to pay their existing athletes directly.
The bill requires the agents of athletes to register with a state and caps their fees to 5%. Additionally, athletes have the option to transfer once to a different institution without losing their eligibility and are provided a five year playing eligibility window, excluding injuries.
When an athlete completes their athletic career, the bill guarantees scholarships up to 10 years after eligibility for the completion of their undergraduate degrees. Moreover, if an injury affects their playing eligibility they are ensured that they will not lose their scholarships.
As past NCAA tournaments debates have occurred, the bill also states that the NCAA and its conferences have to maintain a comparable standard for both Men’s and Women’s teams at championship and tournament events. This includes transportation, medical care, lodging, meals, promotion and publicity.
Apart from student athletes, the bill also affects football coaching personnel and restricts them from becoming a head coach or performing any likewise duties for another institution during a competitive season.
Thus, if the Protect College Sports Act were to make it to the House of Representatives, which looks likely, and get enacted into federal law many athletic institutions will have to make changes to their programs to ensure they are following protocol.