In a significant move to address the complexities of student-athlete compensation, Liberty University has joined over 290 colleges in endorsing the Protect College Sports Act. This bipartisan federal bill aims to provide clarity on issues related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) in college athletics.
The endorsement follows a detailed discussion in June between Liberty University leaders and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. Senator Cruz introduced the bill alongside other senators.
The bill seeks to establish concrete rules regarding the transfer portal and student-athlete compensation. It also addresses other significant aspects of college sports.
The Urgency for Legislative Action
Student-athlete compensation has been a contentious issue in recent years. In 2021, the NCAA adopted a policy allowing student-athletes to receive unlimited monetary compensation for their likeness.
This change led to a major shift in college athletics. In June 2025, the $2.8 billion House vs. NCAA settlement allowed universities to pay student-athletes through direct revenue sharing, NIL, and donor groups.
This rapid evolution has created an urgent need for clear legislative guidelines.
Senator Cruz’s Perspective
During the meeting, Senator Cruz emphasized the chaos in college sports. He highlighted rising costs and the cancellation of programs, especially women’s and Olympic sports.
According to Cruz, Congress is the only entity capable of resolving these issues, as previous rules were struck down under antitrust laws.
He stated, *There is a real urgency for Congress to act. College sports is in complete chaos right now.*
*If Congress doesn’t act, we may continue to see more and more devastation.*
Key Provisions of the Protect College Sports Act
The Protect College Sports Act includes several legislative measures to create a fair and competitive environment in college athletics. Here are some of the key provisions:
- Transfer Portal: The bill caps transfers to one per athlete without sitting out for a year, excluding specific circumstances such as the departure of the team’s head coach.
- Eligibility: It restricts eligibility to five years, aligning with the NCAA’s recent decision to cap student-athlete eligibility at the Division I level.
- Media Rights: Schools will have the opportunity to pool media rights to earn competitive rates for game broadcasts.
- Super League Prohibition: The bill prohibits the creation of larger schools into a “super league.”
- Women’s and Olympic Sports: Major colleges with more than $80 million in athletic revenue are prevented from cutting the number of women’s and Olympic teams below what they fielded in the 2024-25 academic year.
- Minimum Roster Spots: All Division I schools must maintain a set minimum number of roster spots and athletic programs.
Support from Liberty University
Liberty University’s endorsement of the bill shows its commitment to fair compensation for student-athletes. Liberty President Dondi E. Costin expressed admiration for Senators Cruz and Cantwell for addressing this issue.
He emphasized that Liberty is committed to supporting every student-athlete and ensuring they are competitively rewarded as the university grows on the national stage.
The Impact on Smaller Programs
Senator Cruz noted that current legal ambiguity has allowed large collegiate programs to grow stronger at the expense of smaller programs. He stressed the need for legislation to ensure a level playing field for all programs.
He said, *The bill protects a student’s right to receive genuine NIL. If a quarterback can sell millions of tennis shoes, he should make millions of dollars.*
*But it has to be real and have a valid business purpose, not just a booster with a bag of cash in a back alleyway.*
Ensuring Competitive Balance
The bill aims to limit the growth of large programs to prevent them from monopolizing talent and resources. This approach is designed to ensure that college athletics remain competitive and fair for all programs.
Stakeholder and Bipartisan Support
The Protect College Sports Act is gaining support from various stakeholders and bipartisan members of Congress. Recent endorsements have come from Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Peter Welch.
More than 24 collegiate athletic conferences and over 290 colleges and universities have supported the bill. Endorsements have also come from major sports organizations, including:
- United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
- Team USA Athletes’ Commission
- National Governing Body Council (NGBC)
- National Football League (NFL)
- Major League Baseball (MLB)
- National Basketball Association (NBA)
- National Hockey League (NHL)
- NFL and NBA players associations
Future Implications
Senator Cruz warned that without action, the number of student-athletes could drop significantly, which would be a *horrible outcome for America*. He emphasized that sports provide a powerful avenue for young people to attend college.
Maintaining the current number of student-athletes is crucial for the future of collegiate athletics.
Conclusion
The Protect College Sports Act is advancing to the full Senate for consideration. Its goal is to bring clarity and fairness to college athletics.
Liberty University supports the bill. Many other institutions and organizations also recognize the need for legislative action.
For more information, you can read the full article on Liberty University’s endorsement of the Protect College Sports Act here.
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