PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS
THE PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT IS SUPPORTED BY STUDENT-ATHLETES AND SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. LED BY SENATORS TED CRUZ AND MARIA CANTWELL, THE PCSA IS THE ONLY BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE VEHICLE FOR DELIVERING STABILITY TO COLLEGE ATHLETICS.
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The PCSA restores common-sense rules to college athletics.
Nationwide, Level Playing Field
The patchwork of state laws has destabilized college sports. For an even playing field, all teams must follow the same set of rules. The PCSA preempts these laws to set a nationwide level playing field.
Five-Year Eligibility Rule
Rules ensuring only college students play college sports are under attack in court. The PCSA sets a five-year eligibility period that aligns with the NCAA's age-based rule and provides limited antitrust protection to enforce that rule as well as NCAA academic requirements.
Reasonable Transfer Limitations
Lawsuits gutted NCAA transfer policies leading to constant roster turnover. The PCSA sets a one-transfer rule with limited exceptions and provides limited antitrust protection to enforce that rule.
Sustainable, Fair Revenue Sharing
The revenue-sharing system would benefit from a clearer enforcement structure to ensure the cap is applied effectively. The PCSA provides limited antitrust protection to enforce the rules that ensure competitive equity and financial sustainability.
Practical Tampering Rules
Tampering rules, which are essential to team cohesion, are under attack. The PCSA empowers the NCAA to set and enforce transfer windows and tampering rules.
Reasonable Enforcement
As opposed to federal regulation, the bill grants a limited cause of action to enforce the PCSA. This ensures rules cannot be vacated nationwide. Eligibility and transfer challenges can only be heard in federal court.
The PCSA protects and expands opportunities for female student-athletes.
The current instability in college athletics is unsustainable and disproportionately harms women’s and non-revenue generating sports. By restoring common sense rules, the PCSA stabilizes the environment for women’s sports to grow.
| Women’s Programs Protected |
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| Title IX Preserved |
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| Guaranteed Comparable Standards |
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| Health & Safety Protections |
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| Giving Student-Athletes a Voice |
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| Commission on the Future of College Athletics |
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The new revenue share system would benefit from a clearer enforcement structure to ensure the cap is applied effectively. The PCSA provides that clarity—all while doubling the existing settlement cap and incentivizing $5M for women’s and non-revenue generating sports.
The PCSA codifies and enforces important student-athlete protections.
HEALTH & SAFETY PROTECTIONS
- Five years of post-eligibility health care benefits and catastrophic coverage.
- Health and safety standards, including hazing prevention.
- Independent return-to-play medical decisions.
- Ombudsman office to assist student-athletes.
ACADEMIC PROTECTIONS
- Academic benefits, including 10-year degree completion assistance.
- Scholarship guarantees.
NIL CONTRACT GUARANTEES
- Right to enter into name, image & likeness agreements and representation.
- Right to NIL agreement privacy.
REINING IN PREDATORY AGENTS
- Agent fees capped at no more than 5%.
- Agent registry to certify and regulate agents.
WOMEN’S AND OLYMPIC SPORT PROTECTIONS
- Division I sport minimums codified.
- Enhanced roster and grant-in-aid minimums for larger schools.
GOVERNANCE REFORMS
- Requires one-third student-athlete representation on relevant governance boards and requires reps from small and mid-sized schools.
Join student-athletes from all divisions to support the enactment of sustainable and equitable reforms. Together, we can deliver new benefits to college athletes and expand educational opportunities for millions.