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S. 4668Passed Senate

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

Introduced: Jun 2, 2026

Latest action date: Oct 5, 2026

Latest development

Held at the desk.

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Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jun 2, 2026
Recorded roll calls
11

Status detail: The full action history records passage in the Senate.

Plain-language overview

What this bill does

Protect College Sports Act of 2026

This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights. The requirements address elements of the court-approved agreement to settle In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement).

First, the bill statutorily prohibits institutions, conferences, or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations (e.g., the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA]) from restricting student athletes from entering NIL agreements (subject to specified limitations). Students must report to their institution NIL compensation greater than $600.

The bill requires agents to register with a state and caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5%.

The bill also provides student athletes with one transfer without losing athletic eligibility and restricts football personnel from becoming the head football coach at a different institution during the same season.

Further, the bill prohibits institutions, conferences, or specified entities acting for the benefit of an institution from providing athletes with compensation that circumvents the limit on sharing revenue with student athletes established under the House settlement. The bill also makes the limit permanent and provides for an annual inflation adjustment.

The bill generally prohibits Division I conferences from reducing the number of varsity or Olympic sports teams that a member institution must sponsor. Specifically, large institutions ($80 million or more in annual athletics revenue) must offer and maintain at least as many grant-in-aid opportunities and roster spots for sports that do not generate positive net revenue as the institution provided during academic year 2024-25. The bill provides for a waiver of this requirement under certain circumstances of financial hardship and the requirements expire nine years after the enactment of the bill.

Additionally, the bill establishes (subject to specified conditions) a limited antitrust exemption for institutions or conferences that form joint agreements to transfer their sports telecasting rights to a third party. Such an agreement requires participation from at least 75% of the institutions in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Official summary from Congress.gov · checked Oct 31, 2026.

Civixly topics

What this legislation is about

Civixly topics make federal and state legislation comparable. They are derived from the official CRS policy area and legislative subjects.

Official CRS policy area

Sports and Recreation

View 12 official legislative subjects
AthletesContracts and agencyDigital mediaHigher educationInflation and pricesIntellectual propertyLicensing and registrationsSchool athleticsState and local government operationsTelevision and filmUser charges and feesWages and earnings

Committee activity

Committees and subcommittees that received, reviewed, marked up, or reported this legislation.

Amendments

Proposed changes to this measure, with their latest official outcome or action from Congress.gov.

View amendments74 amendments
S.Amdt. 6835senateNot agreed toSep 28, 2026

To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

Latest action: Under the order of 9/28/26, amendment SA 6835 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 52. Record Vote Number: 249.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6831senateAgreed toSep 28, 2026

To modify the prohibition on certain conference mergers and acquisitions.

Latest action: Under the order of 9/28/26, amendment SA 6831, notwithstanding the adoption of amendment SA 6776, agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6830senateAgreed toSep 28, 2026

To require the disclosure of foreign financing of intercollegiate athletics.

Latest action: Under the order of 9/28/26, amendment SA 6830, notwithstanding the adoption of amendment SA 6776, agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6828senateAgreed toSep 28, 2026

To modify the provision relating to the relationship of this Act to existing law.

Latest action: Under the order of 9/28/26, amendment SA 6828, notwithstanding the adoption of amendment SA 6776, agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 96 - 1. Record Vote Number: 245.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6805senateNot agreed toSep 28, 2026

To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

Latest action: Under the order of 9/28/26, amendment SA 6805 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 50. Record Vote Number: 248.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6760senateNot agreed toSep 28, 2026

To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

Latest action: Under the order of 9/28/26, amendment SA 6760, not having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 42 - 54. Record Vote Number: 247.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6758senateNot agreed toSep 28, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: Under the order of 9/28/26, amendment SA 6758 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 1 - 94. Record Vote Number: 246.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6780senateTabledSep 24, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: SA 6780 fell when SA 6779 was tabled.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6779senateAgreed toSep 24, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: Motion to table amendment SA 6779 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6778senateTabledSep 24, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: SA 6778 fell when SA 6777 was tabled.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6777senateAgreed toSep 24, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: Motion to table amendment SA 6777 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6776senateAgreed toSep 24, 2026

In the nature of a substitute.

Latest action: Amendment SA 6776 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 23. Record Vote Number: 242.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6783senateStatus unavailableSep 22, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: SA 6783 fell when SA 6782 fell.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6782senateStatus unavailableSep 22, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: SA 6782 fell when SA 6781 fell.

Congress.gov ↗
S.Amdt. 6781senateStatus unavailableSep 22, 2026

To improve the bill.

Latest action: SA 6781 (the instructions of the motion to commit) fell when cloture was invoked on amendment SA 6776.

Congress.gov ↗

Checked against Congress.gov Oct 31, 2026.

Action timeline

Newest action first. Action language comes from the official Congress.gov record.

View full action timeline28 actions
  1. Held at the desk.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  2. Received in the House.

    FloorHouse floor actions
  3. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    FloorSenate
  4. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S5044-5063)

    FloorLibrary of Congress
  5. Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 250. (text: CR S5044-5063)

    FloorSenate
  6. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5021-5064)

    FloorSenate
  7. The committee substitute tabled by Voice Vote.

    FloorSenate
  8. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4959-4962)

    FloorSenate
  9. Cloture on the measure, as amended, invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 25. Record Vote Number: 243.

    FloorSenate
  10. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4885)

    FloorSenate
  11. Motion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 6781) fell when cloture was invoked on amendment SA 6776 in Senate.

    FloorSenate
  12. Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4851)

    FloorSenate
  13. Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4789)

    FloorSenate
  14. Motion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 6781) made in Senate. (CR S4789)

    FloorSenate
  15. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4773-4774)

    FloorSenate
  16. Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4777-4790)

    FloorSenate
  17. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 236. (CR S4773-4774)

    FloorSenate
  18. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4743)

    FloorSenate
  19. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.

    FloorSenate
  20. Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 235. (CR S4715-4716)

    FloorSenate
  21. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)

    FloorSenate
  22. Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)

    FloorSenate
  23. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    CommitteeLibrary of Congress
  24. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.

    CalendarsSenate
  25. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    CommitteeSenate
  26. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    CommitteeSenate
  27. Introduced in Senate

    IntroReferralLibrary of Congress
  28. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    IntroReferralSenate

Roll-call votes

Recorded House and Senate votes connected to this bill. Your representatives appear first when available.

Amendment Agreed to (96-1)Sep 28, 2026Senate · Roll call 245

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6828 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file)

96 Yea3 Not Voting1 Nay
View 100 recorded positions
Dan SullivanNot Voting
Jim BanksNot Voting
John CornynNot Voting
Amendment Rejected (49-50)Sep 28, 2026Senate · Roll call 248

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6805 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file)

49 Yea50 Nay1 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Dan SullivanNot Voting
Amendment Rejected (42-54, 3/5 majority required)Sep 28, 2026Senate · Roll call 247

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6760 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file)

42 Yea54 Nay4 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Dan SullivanNot Voting
Mike LeeNot Voting
Thom TillisNot Voting
Amendment Rejected (47-52)Sep 28, 2026Senate · Roll call 249

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6835 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file)

47 Yea52 Nay1 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Dan SullivanNot Voting
Bill Passed (77-22)Sep 28, 2026Senate · Roll call 250

On Passage of the Bill S. 4668

22 Nay77 Yea1 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Dan SullivanNot Voting
Amendment Rejected (1-94)Sep 28, 2026Senate · Roll call 246

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6758 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file)

94 Nay5 Not Voting1 Yea
View 100 recorded positions
Dan SullivanNot Voting
John CornynNot Voting
Mark R. WarnerNot Voting
Mike LeeNot Voting
Thom TillisNot Voting
Amendment Agreed to (77-23)Sep 24, 2026Senate · Roll call 242

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file)

23 Nay77 Yea
View 100 recorded positions
Cloture Motion Agreed to (74-25, 3/5 majority required)Sep 24, 2026Senate · Roll call 243

On the Cloture Motion S. 4668

25 Nay74 Yea1 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Thom TillisNot Voting
Cloture Motion Agreed to (70-21, 3/5 majority required)Sep 22, 2026Senate · Roll call 240

On the Cloture Motion S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file)

21 Nay70 Yea9 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Andy KimNot Voting
Bill CassidyNot Voting
Brian SchatzNot Voting
Ruben GallegoNot Voting
Thom TillisNot Voting
Motion to Proceed Agreed to (77-22)Sep 17, 2026Senate · Roll call 236

On the Motion to Proceed S. 4668

22 Nay77 Yea1 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Jerry MoranNot Voting
Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to (74-24, 3/5 majority required)Sep 15, 2026Senate · Roll call 235

On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed S. 4668

24 Nay74 Yea2 Not Voting
View 100 recorded positions
Jacky RosenNot Voting

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Sources: Congress.gov and official House and Senate vote records.

View data freshness details

Base metadata checked Oct 31, 2026 · Summary source checked Oct 31, 2026 · Action timeline checked Oct 31, 2026 · Sponsorship checked Oct 31, 2026 · Topics checked Oct 31, 2026 · Committees checked Oct 31, 2026 · Status checked Oct 31, 2026 · Related bills checked Oct 31, 2026.