Senate advances landmark Protect College Sports Act, ignoring SEC and Big Ten opposition with clock ticking

Trey Wallace tells Dan Dakich what the most interesting elements are that could be included in a new college sports bill.

In a landmark moment for the Senate Commerce Committee, the Protect College Sports Act is now moving to a full vote that has already started the lobbying.

As leaders from across college sports watched from afar, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) held court during a markup session on Thursday that ultimately took aim at those within the SEC and Big Ten conferences that have opposed the bill in its current form.

"What we did today was say we’re not going to let the most powerful, richest conferences dictate to the rest of America what’s going to happen to 500,000 athletes," Cantwell said after a 19-9 vote was secured.

CRUZ AND CANTWELL REFUSE TO BEND TO SEC AND BIG TEN CONCERNS IN REVISED COLLEGE ATHLETICS LEGISLATION

There have been numerous leagues that have gotten behind the bill, while those representing the athletes have opposed.

But, garnering the support from those within the Big Ten and SEC footprint is clearly not an aspect of this process that both Cantwell and Cruz are worried about.

Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas and chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington and ranking member of the committee, attend a hearing in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is scheduled to testify about the company's quality standards and culture overhaul. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

On Thursday morning, the SEC and Big Ten released a joint statement on the legislation, making it clear they were not on board with giving it their support.

"From the outset, we