# Senate pushes national rules for college sports

> A bipartisan Senate bill would set federal NIL, transfer and revenue rules, but critics say athletes would lose power.
- Title: Senate pushes national rules for college sports · Fox News
- Summary: A bipartisan Senate bill would set federal NIL, transfer and revenue rules, but critics say athletes would lose power. The bill tries to replace…
- Keywords: protect college sports act, college sports, nil, student-athletes, ted cruz, maria cantwell, john thune, chris murphy, congressional black caucus, yvette clarke, ncaa, transfer portal
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/senate-moves-rein-college-sports-wild-west-sweeping-new-rules-players-schools
- Author: Alex Miller
- Published: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: protect college sports act, college sports, nil, student-athletes, ted cruz, maria cantwell, john thune, chris murphy, congressional black caucus, yvette clarke, ncaa, transfer portal
## Senate takes first step
The Senate advanced the Protect College Sports Act, opening a path for a later vote on national rules for college athletics.

> It needs to be addressed.
## Cruz blames court fights
Ted Cruz says NIL and antitrust lawsuits have stripped away old NCAA limits, leaving schools and athletes without a clear rulebook.

> So right now it is the Wild West.
## What the bill changes
The bill would set limits on transfers, create five-year eligibility, regulate recruiting contacts, standardize NIL rules and cap revenue sharing.
## Murphy sees lost power
Chris Murphy argues the bill would weaken athletes' bargaining position and give colleges special protection from antitrust claims.

> athletes now have bargaining power
## CBC says no
The Congressional Black Caucus said it will not back the bill while Black voting rights and political representation are under attack.
## Cantwell defends moving ahead
Maria Cantwell said voting rights matter, but scholarships, health protections and athletes' futures should not be held up over another fight.

> voting rights are sacred
## Key takeaway

The bill tries to replace state-by-state NIL fights with one federal system, while opponents warn it protects schools more than players.