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After years of wrangling over how Congress could help college sports leaders curb some of the lingering issues at the forefront of the chaos, we may actually see a compromise in the Senate soon.
As you’ve probably noticed, the ongoing debate over how to resolve the problems arising from the transition to a new era of college sports has led to disarray.
Whether it’s the transfer portal, NIL, the potential elimination of certain programs, or the ongoing discussions about whether athletic departments have enough money to sustain themselves in this era, the overwhelming thought process is centered around Congressional involvement.
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While this is obviously easier said than done, there has been movement recently suggesting that the SCORE Act could be introduced in the House next week, which is at least a step in the right direction.
The problem is that even if this bill passes the House, it is very unlikely that Republicans and Democrats will agree on an issue of this magnitude if it reaches the Senate.
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with Senator Ted Cruz at a Whataburger restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 27, 2026. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
Committee created by Donald Trump will support the legislation
In the meantime, you saw President Trump sign an executive order regarding college athletics, focusing on the transfer portal, eligibility (five years to play five seasons) and the current NIL structure, along with other points of importance.
Even though Trump signed this order, that doesn’t mean it has to be respected, with the president admitting it would likely end up in court.
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But, over the past few months, Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) have been working on a bipartisan bill that would be introduced in the Senate and would have a chance of overcoming the barriers that currently exist on both sides.
What might this actually look like once introduced? The final wording of the bill will be announced next week.
That part is still to be determined, but sources tell OutKick it could unite both sides of the aisle if they can agree on how to adopt some language centered around the number of transfers allowed without penalty, how to get around the dreaded employment argument for college athletes, the NIL structure and ways to prevent athletes from circumventing eligibility guidelines put in place by the NCAA.
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President Donald Trump greets Speaker of the House Mike Johnson as he arrives for a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 6, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
Bipartisan bill is the path forward to truly solve today’s college problems
In reality, if the government wants to help university sports, this is the only way to do it. Putting regulations in place through this upcoming legislation is a win for both parties, especially if the overall revenue issues plaguing college athletics can at least be resolved.
Additionally, according to sources familiar with the upcoming bipartisan legislation, a governing body would be created to provide clear guidance on the rules for potential upcoming changes, with college administrators in agreement on how they are enforced. ‘
What type of rules are they considering?
This part would include third-party NIL agreements that are currently being debated in college athletics, as well as effective enforcement of the revenue sharing cap that was approved as part of the House rules. Additionally, this legislation could provide executives with protection from state laws relating to NIL, which has led to lawsuits and a plethora of disagreements.
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President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio participate in a “Saving College Sports” roundtable discussion in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 6, 2026. The new council is expected to discuss a possible antitrust exemption related to college sports. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Essentially, Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, with the advice of the President’s Committee to Save College Athletics, crafted a bill that encompasses the current issues raised by athletic directors and commissioners, giving it a real chance of passing Congress.
Of course, it won’t be easy, but it seems to be the only solution that can actually be adopted. Arguments will be made against this, because it would not be a political maneuver without some form of resistance.
But we are now at a point where time is not on the side of congressional leaders who hope to pass something substantial that will actually help solve today’s problems. The midterm elections are fast approaching, as are Congressional recess, so if a bill is going to reach the Senate, now is the time.
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Can the two sides actually agree on something that will help college athletics?
We’re about to find out.
