House Weighs Protect College Sports Act During Lame-Duck Session Following Election

The legislation could establish uniform federal regulations governing how college athletes are paid and whether universities must maintain funding levels for non-revenue and Olympic sports, impacting athletic departments and sports programs nationwide.

• •The Protect College Sports Act previously passed the Senate by a 77-22 margin last month.
• •The House of Representatives faces a decision on whether to take up the bill during its lame-duck session beginning Monday.
• •Proponents argue the bill creates necessary federal standards for athlete compensation and protects Olympic sports from being cut.
• •The National College Players Association contends that roughly 70% of Division I athletic departments fall below the $50 million revenue threshold required to maintain certain non-revenue sports.
• •The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee stated that 77.2% of U.S. Olympians at the last two Olympic games competed at Division I schools generating at least $50 million in revenue.
• •The Big Ten recently passed rules conforming its spending guidelines to figures outlined in the bill.
• •Major sports conferences like the Big Ten and SEC have discussed moving toward conference-led governance if federal legislation fails to pass.