The Senate voted 74-24 Tuesday to advance the Protect College Sports Act, moving the bipartisan legislation closer to a full floor vote and establishing the first national framework for college athletes' name, image and likeness compensation.

The measure, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), codifies athletes' rights to earn from NIL deals while replacing the patchwork of state laws with uniform federal standards. It also sets limits on transfers, creates revenue-sharing guidelines, and includes protections for women's and Olympic sports.

Proponents say the bill brings stability to college athletics after years of disruption following the NCAA's 2021 NIL policy shift. The legislation grants athletes a federal right to NIL compensation, caps agent fees at 5 percent, and requires reporting of deals over $600. It allows one penalty-free transfer and imposes a five-year eligibility window.

The bill provides a retention fund of up to $27.5 million for schools and addresses revenue sharing tied to the House settlement. It offers limited antitrust protections to conferences and schools for media rights agreements.

Support has grown to include 28 conferences, over 370 colleges and universities, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and President Trump, who has backed the effort to restore order. Earlier opposition from the Big Ten and SEC eased after revisions incorporated input from major conferences.

Critics of the current system point to unchecked third-party deals that favor power programs and undermine competitive balance. The legislation aims to curb improper recruiting inducements and predatory agents while expanding opportunities for athletes across all sports.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) filed cloture earlier, signaling momentum. If passed by the Senate and House, the bill would head to the president for signature, marking a significant federal intervention in college sports governance.