With the Senate’s rejection of the Clarity Act, lawmakers are preparing for a pivotal vote on the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing financial challenges within collegiate athletics. The legislation, co-sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), is expected to come before the Senate floor on Wednesday, following intense debate and the release of new financial data.
During floor discussions on September 15, Cantwell highlighted a recent report based on July 2026 Government Accountability Office data that underscores mounting fiscal pressures facing NCAA Division I athletic programs. The report found that 94% of these programs operated at a loss in the 2023-24 academic year, relying on institutional subsidies, student fees, public funding, or other resources diverted from academic purposes to cover deficits. Cantwell also noted a sharp rise in recruiting costs over the past 18 years—a 322% increase—and pointed to the elimination of more than 100 women’s and Olympic non-revenue programs in three years, reflecting broader concerns about sustainability.
“The unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying broader financial pressures on colleges and universities,” Cantwell said. “Universities are transferring general fund money to cover athletic deficits, dipping into endowments, and seeking additional state support. Without reform, we risk a brain drain that could jeopardize America’s leadership in science and technology.”
The Protect College Sports Act proposes to increase the revenue-sharing arrangement established by the 2025 House Settlement, which currently sets payouts at $21.35 million per participating athletics department. The new bill would more than double that amount, raising it to approximately $44-$45 million, with an additional allocation of up to $5 million for women’s and Olympic sports. However, the legislation does not address employment status or collective bargaining rights for student-athletes. It does propose a one-time transfer rule and clarifies age-based eligibility criteria.
Supporters argue the bill offers needed clarity. Craig Bohl, president of the American Football Coaches Association, pointed to the chaotic eligibility landscape, noting ongoing legal challenges and uncertainty. “Clarity on eligibility is a big deal for us as coaches,” Bohl said, emphasizing bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
The NCAA released a video featuring current student-athletes calling for passage of the bill, underscoring its perceived importance to the future of college sports. Sen. Schmitt described the legislation as a rare bipartisan solution to long-standing issues in collegiate athletics and underscored its potential to preserve an iconic American institution.
Nevertheless, opposition remains. Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) criticized the bill on the Senate floor, condemning the NCAA as a monopolistic entity that prioritizes protecting colleges over the welfare of athletes. Booker, a former college athlete, described the NCAA’s $15 billion industry as one that has “repeatedly put college athletes in horrible positions.”
Sen. Chris Murph (D-Connecticut) also convened a Monday videoconference featuring NCAA student-athletes who voiced concerns about the bill’s lack of provisions for independent athlete representation and permanent legal protections for institutions.
As the Senate prepares to vote, the debate reflects ongoing tensions between reforming collegiate sports’ financial landscape and safeguarding student-athlete rights, with outcomes likely to shape the sector for years to come.