What does Preamble of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of student athletes. It also intends to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the legislation. “Antitrust laws” are defined as having the meaning given in the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12) and includes certain state laws. An “associated entity” is defined as an individual or entity coordinating with an institution to support its athletics program, including NIL compensation opportunities. “Athlete agent” is defined by the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801). A “collective” is defined as an entity providing support to student athletes or athletic programs, excluding immediate family members. “Compensation” includes payments to student athletes but excludes grants-in-aid, Federal Pell Grants, and certain other benefits. “Cost of attendance” is defined as per the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1087ll). “Student athlete” is defined as an individual enrolled full-time and participating in intercollegiate athletic competition. “Name, image, and likeness rights” refers to a student athlete’s ability to market and profit from their name, image, or likeness.

What does NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS PROTECTIONS. of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes protections for student-athletes regarding the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Institutions, conferences, and athletic associations are prohibited from restricting a student athlete's ability to market or earn compensation for their NIL rights or entering into NIL agreements. Eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition cannot be restricted based on entering into or marketing NIL rights, unless required by law. Institutions may not limit grant-in-aid opportunities based on NIL agreements, unless otherwise required by law. Institutions may not revoke or reduce grant-in-aid based on NIL agreements. Institutions and third parties may not use a group of student-athletes' NIL without individual consent. Student athletes are required to report NIL agreements and compensation exceeding $600 within specific timeframes. Institutions are restricted from releasing student athlete disclosure information without express written consent. Institutions may pay, provide, or facilitate compensation to student athletes for the use of their NIL. Student athletes' eligibility cannot be restricted based on having an athlete agent or legal representative.

What does MODIFICATIONS TO SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST ACT. of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section modifies the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.). Amendments expand the definition of 'Sports Agent' to include name, image, and likeness agreements as defined in the Protect College Sports Act of 2026. The definition of 'intercollegiate athletic association' is also incorporated from the Protect College Sports Act of 2026. Section 3(a) is amended to add prohibited activities for athlete agents, including violations of section 9, charging excessive fees, contracts extending beyond eligibility, and making false representations. A private right of action is established allowing current or former student-athletes to sue for violations of specific sections. The court may award declaratory judgment and actual damages in successful civil actions. Pre-dispute arbitration agreements and joint action waivers related to disputes under this Act are deemed invalid. Athlete agents representing student-athletes in endorsement contracts must register with a State and enter into an agency contract. Agency contracts must include specific information like party names, term, registration details, and fees. Endorsement contracts must meet certain requirements, including being in writing, stating the student-athlete’s right to legal representation, and not conditioning validity on enrollment or location unless the contracting party is affiliated with the student-athlete’s institution.

What does AGENT REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes requirements for intercollegiate athletic associations. Associations must maintain a publicly available website with a searchable database of athlete agents. Agents listed must be registered with a State and certified under section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act. Agents must also certify compliance with the association's rules, including recruitment and tampering rules under section 117. Intercollegiate athletic associations may decertify or fine agents for violations of section 9 or section 117. Decertified agents are prohibited from representing or contacting student athletes or prospective student athletes of member institutions.

What does DISCLOSURES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes disclosure requirements for institutions and intercollegiate athletic associations regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. Institutions must disclose anonymized data on NIL agreements to their athletic associations, including descriptions of services and compensation amounts. Institutions with intercollegiate sports programs must submit reports detailing revenues, expenditures, student athlete hours, and academic outcomes for each sports program. Men's and women's sports programs are to be treated as distinct for disclosure and reporting purposes. Institutions must ensure personally identifiable information of student athletes is not transmitted during disclosures. Intercollegiate athletic associations must establish and maintain a publicly accessible database to estimate fair market value for NIL agreements, including data from institutions. The database must be updated annually and include data reported by institutions. Associations must implement technical measures to prevent the database from being used to identify student athletes. This section applies only to Division I institutions or Division II/III institutions participating in a limited number of Division I sports.

What does ACADEMIC PROTECTIONS. of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes academic protections for student-athletes. Athletic departments are prohibited from exerting undue pressure on student-athletes regarding course selection or majors, or retaliating against them for their choices. Institutions and athletic associations may limit countable athletic-related activities to ensure student-athletes make satisfactory progress toward completing a degree. Financial literacy and life skills programming for student-athletes cannot include marketing or solicitation offers. Institutions generally cannot revoke, reduce, or condition grant-in-aid based on athletic ability, injury, or roster management decisions. An exception to scholarship protections allows revocation or reduction of grant-in-aid if a student-athlete transfers, or fails to meet institutional standards of conduct, athletics program policies, or academic eligibility. Institutions must provide timely written notice regarding potential grant-in-aid changes. Former student-athletes who meet specific criteria may have the opportunity to resume study and receive grant-in-aid to complete their degree. Paragraph (2)(D) regarding former student athletes only applies to institutions competing in Division I of the NCAA.

What does MEDICAL COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS. of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes medical coverage requirements for student athletes participating in intercollegiate sports. Institutions (Division I, II, or III) must provide coverage for out-of-pocket medical expenses, second opinions, catastrophic injuries exceeding $90,000, and end-of-college physical examinations related to athletic participation. Coverage for out-of-pocket medical expenses must extend for five years after a student athlete's last competition. Intercollegiate athletic associations must establish a fund or program to assist member institutions with financial hardship related to subsection (a)(2) compliance and to cover post-eligibility medical expenses for student athletes with significant long-term conditions. The fund must be funded at a minimum of $60,000,000 annually, with potential increases up to $100,000,000. Associations may use collective media rights revenue to fund the program. The section clarifies that associations can provide additional medical coverage beyond what is required and can exceed the minimum fund amount.

What does HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY STANDARDS. of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes health, wellness, and safety standards for student athletes. Institutions, conferences, and intercollegiate athletic associations must adhere to standards to protect student athletes from sports-related injuries, conditions, and death, including brain injury, heat-related illness, rhabdomyolysis, sickle cell trait, and asthma. Specific guidelines from organizations like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American College of Sports Medicine are referenced for managing these conditions. Institutions must take actions to prevent, assess, and remediate abuse, hazing, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment. Intercollegiate athletic associations and institutions must provide student athletes with information on how to contact the Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman. Each institution must designate an athletic health and safety officer who is independent of the athletic department. Medical professionals have autonomous authority to determine medical management and return-to-play decisions for student athletes. Coaches and non-medical personnel are prohibited from influencing or disregarding medical professionals’ decisions regarding student athlete care. Intercollegiate athletic associations are not precluded from establishing additional health, wellness, and safety standards.

What does OFFICE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE OMBUDSMAN. of Protect College Sports Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes an 'Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman' within intercollegiate athletic associations. The Office is tasked with providing independent advice to student-athletes regarding their rights, responsibilities, and available resources. The Office will assist in resolving student-athlete concerns related to athletic associations, conferences, or institutions. The Office must provide contact information for external resources and advise students on legal counsel. Institutions are required to display standard language outlining student-athlete rights and responsibilities in common areas. The Office is required to maintain confidentiality of information received from student-athletes, with limited exceptions. The Ombudsman and staff are protected from being compelled to testify or produce evidence in legal proceedings. Retaliation against student-athletes for disclosing information to or seeking assistance from the Office is prohibited. Governing boards cannot prevent the Office from fulfilling its duties.

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Protect College Sports Act of 2026

Last updated: 6/24/2026 · Introduced: 6/2/2026

Author: Ted Cruz (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill protects student athletes' rights to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) without restrictions from institutions.
It establishes medical coverage requirements for student athletes, including coverage for out-of-pocket expenses and catastrophic injuries.
The legislation mandates that at least one-third of governing boards in intercollegiate athletic associations must consist of current or former student athletes.
It allows student athletes to transfer once without losing eligibility and outlines conditions under which a second transfer may result in eligibility loss.
The bill prohibits institutions from providing compensation that exceeds a revenue share cap and establishes guidelines for NIL agreements.
It creates the Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman to provide independent support and advice to student athletes regarding their rights.
The legislation requires intercollegiate athletic associations to maintain comparable standards for resources and opportunities in men's and women's sports.