The Senate voted 74-24 to end debate and move the Protect College Sports Act closer to a final vote, clearing the 60-vote threshold despite opposition from several civil rights and labor groups. The bipartisan measure would establish national rules for athlete compensation, transfers, eligibility and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, while limiting mid-season coaching moves, setting a five-year eligibility window and protecting the NCAA from antitrust lawsuits. It would also cap revenue sharing, permit retention funds for star players, require agent registration and limit agent fees to 5%, guarantee scholarships for 10 years after eligibility ends, and require Division I schools to provide medical coverage during athletes’ participation. A report released by Sen. Maria Cantwell said institutional and government support for athletic programs at 53 publicly reporting Power Four schools rose by $519.9 million between 2015 and 2025. The vote followed an eligibility dispute involving LSU and players who had participated in NFL training camps, an episode that highlighted the litigation and roster uncertainty the bill seeks to address. Sen. Ted Cruz and Cantwell said the measure could bring order to college sports, while critics including Sen. Chris Murphy argued that it would reinforce an exploitative system and give the NCAA more power. All four Black Democrats in the Senate — Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks — voted against the bill. Supporters include retired coach Nick Saban, Colorado coach Deion Sanders, Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari and Gonzaga coach Mark Few, while lawmakers face a narrower legislative window ahead of November’s midterm elections.