Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced a bipartisan agreement on Wednesday on the “Protect College Sports Act,” a bill designed to prevent college athletics from fully transforming into a professional sports league.

The legislation would grant the NCAA stronger authority to regulate player transfers, eligibility, and compensation in the wake of the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era. Key provisions include limiting multiple entries into the transfer portal, enforcing a five-year eligibility cap, preventing athletes from returning to college after signing professional contracts, banning schools from poaching active coaches mid-season, and implementing a salary cap.

“College sports are at a breaking point,” Cruz said. “Fans can see their favorite teams being hollowed out by transfer chaos, fake NIL bidding wars, eligibility lawsuits, and a system that allows the richest programs to keep pulling away.”

Supporters argue the current system has undermined the educational mission of college sports and created an unstable environment resembling professional free agency. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) added that unlimited transfers and rising costs are pushing college athletics “to the brink of collapse.”

The bill comes in response to years of disruption following the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling that expanded NIL opportunities. If passed, it would aim to preserve competitive balance, protect traditional rivalries, and maintain the connection between student-athletes and their education. The legislation now heads to the full Congress for consideration.