Ted Cruz bill to regulate college sports in NIL era advances

June 29, 2026 - 00:01

A bill co-authored by Senator Ted Cruz that aims to bring federal regulation to college athletics has cleared a key committee hurdle. The Texas Republican, working alongside a Democratic senator, says the legislation is designed to prevent a widening gap between wealthy athletic programs and smaller schools that cannot keep up in the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era.

The proposed law would create a national standard for how college athletes can profit from their fame, replacing the current patchwork of state laws. Cruz argued that without federal intervention, the divide between the "haves and have-nots" in college sports will only grow, potentially destroying the competitive balance that makes the system work. He stressed that the bill aims to preserve the tradition of amateur athletics while giving players fair compensation.

Supporters of the measure say it provides much-needed clarity for universities, boosters, and athletes alike. Critics, however, worry that the bill could still favor the biggest conferences and limit the rights of student-athletes. The legislation now heads to the full Senate for debate, where its fate remains uncertain amid a crowded legislative calendar and differing opinions on how to handle the rapidly changing landscape of college sports.