The Protect College Sports Act cleared the US Senate on Monday with a 77-22 vote, giving the bipartisan legislation its biggest breakthrough since more than 40 college sports bills were introduced in Congress dating back to 2020.

Co-authored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), the legislation seeks to establish national rules governing college athletics, including NIL compensation, transfers and eligibility. It would also give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption, allowing it to enforce certain eligibility and transfer rules without facing the same level of legal challenges.

Under the bill, athletes would receive one transfer without losing eligibility, while a second transfer would result in a one-year loss of eligibility. It would also introduce a five-in-five eligibility model and limit NIL agent fees to 5% of an athlete's endorsement contract.

The legislation would raise the annual revenue-sharing cap from around $20 million per school to nearly $50 million. That figure includes a $22.5 million retention pool and another $5 million designated for non-revenue sports. The bill also requires Division I schools to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses for sports-related injuries and guarantees at least one free local broadcast option for football and basketball games in each school's home market.

Conference realignment is another big part of the legislation. Power Four conferences would be limited to 20 members, while schools moving from one Power Four league to another would have to operate independently for three years if the move occurs within the next six years. The Senate adopted an amendment from Sen. Ashley Moody that increased the conference limit from 19 to 20 schools.

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The bill has support from more than 370 colleges and universities and 32 collegiate athletic conferences, as well as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, their relevant players' associations, the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee and other athletic organizations.

However, the Senate vote does not send the bill straight to President Donald Trump. The House of Representatives must first pass it by a simple majority. That is the immediate obstacle, as the House is currently out of session until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections and could return with a different political makeup.

The legislation also leaves two major issues unresolved: whether college athletes should be classified as employees and whether they can unionize and collectively bargain with schools.

Opposition remains, with critics arguing that the bill could shield the NCAA and universities from lawsuits involving athletes. The Congressional Black Caucus has also opposed the legislation, while supporters believe it can still secure enough House votes.