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After years of wrangling over how Congress could help college athletics leaders reduce some of the current problems at the forefront of the chaos, we may be witnessing a compromise that will soon reach the Senate floor.
As you’ve probably seen, the ongoing debate over how to fix the problems that have arisen from the movement toward a new era of college sports has led to chaos.
Whether it’s the transfer portal, NIL, the potential cutting of certain programs or the ongoing discussions about athletic departments having enough money to sustain themselves in this era, the overwhelming thought process centers around congressional involvement.
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While this is obviously easier said than done, there has been movement recently suggesting that the SCORE Act could reach the House of Representatives as early as next week, which is at least a step in the right direction.
The problem is that even if this passes the House, it is highly unlikely that Republicans and Democrats will reach an agreement on something of this magnitude if it were to reach the Senate.
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with Senator Ted Cruz at a Whataburger restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 27, 2026. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
Committee created by Donald Trump will support legislation
Meanwhile, they’ve seen President Trump sign an executive order related to college athletics, with emphasis on the transfer portal, eligibility (five years to play five seasons) and the current NIL structure, along with other points of emphasis.
Even though Trump signed this order, that doesn’t mean it’s something that needs to be followed, and the president admits it would likely end up in court.
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But for the past few months, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have been working on a bipartisan bill that would be introduced on the Senate floor that would actually have a chance of overcoming the barriers that currently exist on both sides.
What could this actually look like when presented? The final wording of the legislation will be announced next week.
That part remains to be determined, but sources tell OutKick this could unite both sides of the aisle if they can agree on how to enact some language focused on the number of transfers allowed without penalty, how to fix the dreaded labor argument for college athletes, the NIL structure, and ways to prevent athletes from circumventing eligibility guidelines set by the NCAA.
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President Donald Trump greets House Speaker Mike Johnson as he arrives for a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 6, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
Bipartisan Bill Is the Way to Really Help Current College Problems
In reality, if the government is going to help college athletics, this is the only way it will really happen. Having regulations implemented through this upcoming legislation is a win for both sides, especially if the overall revenue issues plaguing college athletics can at least be resolved.
Additionally, according to sources familiar with the upcoming bipartisan legislation, a governing body would be enacted to provide clear guidance on rules related to potential changes ahead, and university administrators would agree on how they are applied. ‘
What kind of rules do you plan to address?
This part would include third-party NIL agreements that are currently being discussed throughout college athletics, as well as enforcing the revenue share cap that was passed through the House agreement. Additionally, this legislation could give leaders protection over state laws related to NIL, which has led to lawsuits and a host of disagreements.
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President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio participate in a “Save College Sports” panel discussion in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2026. The new council is expected to discuss a potential antitrust exemption related to college sports. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Basically, Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, with the advice and guidance of the President’s Committee to Save College Athletics, have crafted a bill that addresses the current issues raised by athletic directors and commissioners, giving it a real chance of passage in Congress.
Sure, it won’t be easy, but this seems to be the only solution that can really be approved. There will be arguments against it, because it would not be a political maneuver without some type of reaction.
But we are now at a point where time is not on the side of congressional leaders hoping to pass something substantial that will actually help solve the current problems. The midterm elections are quickly approaching, along with a recess for Congress, so if a bill is going to make it to the Senate, now is the time.
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Can both sides agree on something that will help college athletics?
We’re about to find out.
