Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) introduced the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act of 2026 today, featuring testimonies from key figures such as Nick Saban, former Alabama head football coach.
The act focuses on prohibiting coaches from leaving for other jobs before the conclusion of the season, prohibiting athletes from transferring more than once during their college careers and prohibiting teams and conferences from leaving the NCAA to form a "Super League." Additionally, it would create nationwide standards on recruiting, tampering and NIL disclosures.
Saban expressed his support for the legislation to Congress.
"When the system becomes whoever raises the most money gets the best players, then we are no longer talking about college athletics as millions of fans and I have known it," Saban told Congress. "That is why I support the Protect College Sports Act."
Saban discussed college athletics as a way to develop young people, coaching them in their sport, while also giving them academic support to finish their degree.
"I do not believe most fans want universities simply sponsoring professional teams. I believe they want an education-based model that compensates athletes fairly, protects athletes properly, and still preserves development, competition, opportunity, and tradition," Saban testified.
Although the Senators have received support from the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conferences, the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten have expressed disapproval of the legislation in its current form. They expressed concerns over leaving rule-making to Congress and not allowing for flexibility as the landscape evolves.
However, the leagues said they were "committed" to working with Senators Cruz and Cantwell to “improve this legislation so that it can provide lasting stability for college athletics.”
With recent changes made to college sports over the past few years, the NCAA, athletic conferences and Congress will continue discussing the Protect College Sports Act.
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