Senate passes Protect College Sports Act 77-22, raising athlete pay cap

The Senate passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act 77-22 Monday night, led by Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell. It sets national rules for NIL compensation, recruiting, transfers and conference realignment, raises the cap on direct athlete pay from about $21 million to $48 million per school, and gives athletes five years of eligibility starting at enrollment or age 19. President Trump had urged passage; the bill now heads to the House.