SEC, Big Ten give endorsement of ‘Protect College Sports’ Act

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Southeastern and Big Ten conferences gave a joint enforcement of a piece of federal legislation that will regulate college sports.

The “Protect College Sports” Act was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on June 2 and has Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) as cosponsors. The bill gives outlines for new rules and regulations to college sports in regards to name, image and likeness payments and transferring schools.

“The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference support the Protect College Sports Act as currently drafted, following detailed and productive negotiations with Senates Cruz, Cantwell and Schmitt,” the statement reads. “We appreciate the substantial work that has gone into this effort.”

Joint statement from the Big Ten & SEC Presidents and Chancellors on the Protect College Sports Act: pic.twitter.com/zxJmsOz9lN

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) August 1, 2026

The bill currently says schools, conferences and the NCAA are barred from restricting students from entering NIL agreements “subject to specified limitations.”

Athletes must report NIL compensation larger than $600, if the bill passes. It also requires agents to register with a state and caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5%, the bill says. The bill would also cap athlete transfers to just one without losing any eligibility.

It also “restricts football personnel from becoming the head football coach at a different institution during the same season.” That stipulation comes after LSU head coach Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss last season heading into the playoffs.

Schools will also be banned from “providing athletes with compensation that circumvents the limit on sharing revenue with student athletes established under the House settlement.”

A limited antitrust exemption is created for schools and conferences “that form joint agreements to transfer their sports telecasting rights to a third party,” the bill says That agreement would need participation from at least three-quarters of schools in the FBS.

Schmitt spoke well of the bill in a Friday night statement.

“College sports are in complete chaos due to unlimited transfers, a lack of eligibility rules, and an unsustainable arms race that will mean fewer teams, scholarships, and opportunities for athletes,” Schmitt’s statement says. “Over the past several months, and throughout this Congress, we’ve worked extensively with athletes, coaches, and conferences to draft legislation that will protect college sports for future generations.”