Trump Backs Senate College Sports Bill as Scalise Faults Lack of Athlete Employment Ban
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 3
Trump Backs Senate College Sports Bill as Scalise Faults Lack of Athlete Employment Ban
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 3
Summary
Trump urged Congress to pass the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act this summer, calling it the "last chance" to stabilize college athletics and saying he would sign a final bill.
The Senate measure would let the NCAA cap spending, limit transfers and eligibility, and allow conferences to pool media rights—an idea Maria Cantwell said could add $4 billion to $8 billion for major-football schools.
Nick Saban and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua backed the bill at Wednesday's hearing, arguing federal law is needed to preserve competitive balance and avoid a mini-NFL dominated by a few rich programs.
Scalise said the House cannot move a college sports bill unless it blocks athletes from being treated as employees, and he pointed to opposition from the SEC and Big Ten, which said the Senate draft still needs work.
The bill also faces resistance from the Congressional Black Caucus, which withheld support over broader concerns about attacks on Black political representation, leaving the Cruz-Cantwell proposal as the main live vehicle after the SCORE Act stalled.
Could two powerful conferences block a federal plan to redistribute billions in college sports TV revenue?
Why does the bill to fix college sports avoid the core question: are student-athletes employees?
The $2.8 Billion Crossroads: Trump, Congress, and the Fight to Reshape College Sports in 2026
Overview
In June 2026, former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the Senate's bipartisan Protect College Sports Act (PCSA), sparking a major legislative battle over the future of college athletics. Introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, the PCSA aims to grant the NCAA more antitrust protection and impose new rules, such as limiting athlete transfers and capping eligibility. This comprehensive bill stands in contrast to the House's narrower SCORE Act, highlighting a fundamental clash over how to regulate athlete compensation and employment. The outcome of this debate will shape the structure and fairness of college sports for years to come.