Passed the Senate · Awaiting the House
Get ready for the
Protect College Sports Act.
Last reviewed October 17, 2026 · Official bill record
The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (S. 4668) passed the U.S. Senate 77–22 on September 28, 2026. Written by Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, it would set one federal rulebook for NIL disclosure, agent registration, revenue sharing, and protections for non-revenue sports. Here’s what it says, where it stands, and how OnPar lines up with it.
What the bill does
5-day NIL disclosureAthletes would report the terms, amount, and source of any NIL agreement worth more than $600 (or more than $600 from one source over 12 months) within 5 days of signing it. Deals would go to their school and to their athletic association or its designated enforcement entity, the College Sports Commission. NIL pay not already reported that way would be due within 30 days of receipt (Sec. 101).
Public agent registryAthletic associations would keep a public, searchable database of athlete agents who are registered with a state and federally certified. They could decertify or fine agents who break the rules. Agent fees would be capped at 5%, and agency contracts would have to be in writing (Secs. 102–103).
Participation & grant-in-aid floorsDivision I schools reporting at least $80M in EADA athletics revenue would have to keep at least as many total scholarships and roster spots in non-revenue sports, including women’s and Olympic sports, as they had in 2024–25. Schools with $50M–$80M would get a transitional version of the same rule. Schools could reallocate spots between teams, and hardship waivers apply, including for a 15% revenue drop (Sec. 125).
Annual NIL & revenue reportingStarting the first July 1 after enactment, each Division I school would report anonymized NIL data to its association every year. That includes the number, average value, and total value of school payments by sport. Within 60 days of each academic year, it would also report revenues and expenses for each sports program (Sec. 104).
Revenue-share cap & retention fundThe bill writes the House settlement’s revenue-sharing cap into law. It also lets schools spend up to $22.5M a year above the cap to keep their own current athletes, plus up to $5M more matched to what they pay athletes in non-revenue sports. Both expire after nine years unless Congress extends them (Secs. 114–115).
One national standardFederal rules would override state NIL, transfer, and eligibility laws, replacing today’s patchwork. The bill does not decide whether athletes are employees, and it expressly leaves Title IX untouched (Secs. 121, 122, 127).
The NIL disclosure clock
Deal over $600 Starts when you sign · report within 5 days
Pay not already reported Starts when you receive it · due within 30 days
Day 3: 2 days left to report the deal.
Who the participation floor would reach
Under $50MNot coveredBelow this section’s thresholds
$50M to $80MTransitional floorA transitional version of the same rule
$80M or moreFull floorKeep at least as many total scholarships and roster spots in non-revenue sports as in 2024–25
At $65M of EADA athletics revenue, a Division I school would fall in the transitional floor band.
- Division I schools, measured by EADA athletics revenue
- Schools could reallocate spots between teams
- Hardship waivers apply, including for a 15% revenue drop
Where it stands
- Committee advanced itSenate Commerce Committee, 19–9
- Passed the SenateSeptember 28, 2026
- House voteNot before the November midtermsHere now
- Lame-duck windowIf the House has not acted by the new Congress in January 2027, the bill must be reintroduced and start over
- Signed into lawNothing takes effect until both chambers pass it and it is signed
77 yes · 22 no
Read the details
StatusPassed the Senate 77–22 on September 28, 2026, after the Senate Commerce Committee advanced it 19–9. It has not passed the House or been signed into law.
What’s nextThe House does not return to vote until after the November midterms. If it does not act during the lame-duck session before the new Congress starts in January 2027, the bill would have to be reintroduced and start over.
TimelineNothing takes effect until the bill passes both chambers and is signed. Departments that get their disclosure, agent-tracking, and EADA baselines in order now won’t be scrambling if it does.
Based on the Senate Commerce Committee’s September 17, 2026 floor text and section-by-section summary. The Senate considered floor amendments before final passage, so check the engrossed bill on congress.gov for final wording. OnPar tracks the PCSA as public policy context, not legal advice. Confirm current status and final text before relying on it for a compliance decision.
How OnPar lines up with it
5-day disclosureThe proposed deadline is shown above as policy context. OnPar’s customer workspace does not record NIL agreements or determine their disclosure deadlines.
Agent databaseOnPar’s agent registry is cross-checked against NFLPA/NBPA and state directories, with a match-review queue for agent–athlete pairs and full audit history.
Participation & aid floorsThe floor is tied to EADA-reported revenue and a 2024–25 baseline, both of which OnPar already holds. OnPar shows that baseline sport by sport, so a department can see what the floor would mean for non-revenue sports before the bill becomes law.
Annual reportingThe EADA filing workspace holds participation and financial figures by sport. OnPar does not currently produce the proposed per-sport NIL report.