SEC and Big Ten must decide on Protect College Sports Act by Wednesday, Congress says
Congressional leaders have set a strict deadline for the SEC and Big Ten. Lawmakers delivered the latest version of the Protect College Sports Act on Tuesday and requested an official position from both conferences by 9 a.m. ET Wednesday. This legislation aims to establish formal regulations across the college athletics industry, though the two most powerful conferences remain the primary obstacles to its passage.
The bill spans 61 pages and includes specific rules regarding revenue sharing, athlete retention, and conference expansion. Lawmakers revised the text in an attempt to secure support from the SEC and Big Ten, whose backing is considered necessary to move the bill through the Senate before the upcoming August recess. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti confirmed the league is reviewing the new language, though he noted that the process will require significant back-and-forth communication rather than an immediate approval.
At the core of the disagreement are concerns over long-term stability and legal exposure. Conference leaders want stronger antitrust protections and worry that the current draft leaves gaps regarding third-party influence and private equity involvement. While the NCAA and most other conferences support the bill, the SEC and Big Ten continue to weigh whether this specific version provides sufficient benefits to justify the loss of autonomy. Commissioner Petitti indicated that if this legislation fails, the conferences may move toward a self-governance model to manage their own rules.
The window for action is narrow. If the bill does not reach the Senate floor next week, its chances of passing this session diminish significantly. Lawmakers are pushing to finalize the language, including a new section dedicated to HBCUs, to resolve a multi-year effort to stabilize the industry following recent court rulings. The outcome of this morning's deadline will determine whether the current legislative push succeeds or if college sports will continue operating without federal oversight.