S. 4668 · 119th Congress · 2025–2026
Protect College Sports Act of 2026
S. 4668 in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) has passed the senate — introduced on Jun 2, 2026, sponsored by Ted Cruz with 9 co-sponsors. Congress held 11 roll call votes on it.
During the 119th Congress (2025–2026), Donald Trump was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.
- Status
- Passed the Senate
- Introduced
- Jun 2, 2026
- Co-sponsors
- 9
- Policy area
- Sports and Recreation
- Groups that lobbied
- 85
What it does
Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights. The requirements address elements of the court-approved agreement to settle In re College Athlete NIL Litigation (i.e., House settlement ).
Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
Sponsor
Ted Cruz (R-TX). Co-sponsors: 5 Democrats, 4 Republicans.
Where it stands
- IntroducedJun 2, 2026
- Passed the SenateSep 28, 2026
- Passed the House—
- Sent to the President—
- Became law—
Latest action: Held at the desk. (Oct 5, 2026)
How Congress voted
- On Passage of the Bill
Senate · Sep 28, 2026 · Bill Passed77–22 - On the Cloture Motion
Senate · Sep 24, 2026 · Cloture Motion Agreed to74–25 - On the Motion to Proceed
Senate · Sep 17, 2026 · Motion to Proceed Agreed to77–22 - On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed
Senate · Sep 15, 2026 · Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to74–24
Every roll call vote on this bill
- A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and…Senate · Sep 15, 2026
- A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and…Senate · Sep 17, 2026
- In the nature of a substitute.Senate · Sep 22, 2026
- In the nature of a substitute.Senate · Sep 24, 2026
- A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and…Senate · Sep 24, 2026
- To modify the provision relating to the relationship of this Act to existing law.Senate · Sep 28, 2026
- To improve the bill.Senate · Sep 28, 2026
- To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.Senate · Sep 28, 2026
- To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student…Senate · Sep 28, 2026
- To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.Senate · Sep 28, 2026
- A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and…Senate · Sep 28, 2026
More bills from Ted Cruz in the 119th Congress
- S. 146: TAKE IT DOWN Act
- S. 32: LACA
- S. 759: Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act
- S.J.Res. 3: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United…
- S.J.Res. 7: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United…
- S. 2503: ROTOR Act
- S. 5158: Federal Insurance Office Abolishment Act of 2026
- S. 5188: Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026
- S. 5289: Right to Worship Act
- S. 5369: Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights through Mandates for Accountability Act of 2026
Other Sports and Recreation bills in the 119th Congress
- H.R. 452: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
- S. 9: Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025
- S. 94: Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
- H.R. 485: Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act
- H.R. 4083: Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act
- H.R. 4624: Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act
- H.R. 5021: American Decade of Sports Act
- S. 5188: Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026
- H.R. 6350: College Athletics Reform Act
- H.R. 7368: Riley Gaines Act
Who lobbied on it
85 organizations named this bill in lobbying reports (Jul 2025 – Sep 2026). Biggest spenders among them:
Committees
More
From GovInfo bill records, Congressional Research Service summaries, Voteview roll calls and lobbying reports.
Cite or embed this page
Capitol Receipts, “S. 4668 (119th Congress): Protect College Sports Act of 2026,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/bill/119-s-4668/protect-college-sports-act-of-2026 (accessed 2026-10-17).