College athlete pay bill awaits House action after the midterms

The U.S. House returns Nov. 9 with a bill on college athlete pay and protections awaiting action. The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, S. 4668, by a 77–22 vote on Sept. 28. The House received the bill Oct. 5. The Associated Press reported Thursday that the measure faces opposition from most House Democrats and some Republicans.

What the Senate bill would change

The proposal from Sens. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, and Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, would establish a federal right for college athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness. That includes deals such as paid endorsements. It would also cap certain agent fees at 5%, add protections for athletic scholarships and require Division I schools to cover certain sports-related medical expenses after athletes’ eligibility ends.

The bill would require covered Division I schools to maintain at least as many total roster spots and athletic aid opportunities in sports whose revenue falls short of their operating costs as they offered in 2024–25. The requirement would apply for four years at schools with at least $50 million but less than $80 million in annual athletics revenue, and nine years at schools with at least $80 million. The bill allows exceptions.

Why athlete groups are divided

The NCAA and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee support the bill. Supporters say the roster provisions would help preserve the college programs that train many U.S. Olympians. The National College Players Association argues that the revenue thresholds leave many Division I schools outside those protections and that the provisions expire too soon.

If the House passes the Senate text, the bill can go to the president. House amendments would require the chambers to agree on a final version. If the bill stalls through the end of this Congress, lawmakers would have to reintroduce it in the next one.