The federal proposal would create nationwide rules for athlete compensation, scholarships, medical coverage and eligibility while preempting parts of state law.
The U.S. Senate voted 77-22 Thursday to advance a sweeping college-sports bill that would establish national rules for athlete compensation, scholarships, medical coverage and eligibility.
North Carolina Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd supported the motion to proceed. The official list of senators voting against the motion did not include either North Carolina senator, and one senator did not vote.
The Protect College Sports Act would replace the current collection of state name, image and likeness laws with a federal framework. The proposal would preserve athletes’ ability to earn NIL compensation while capping agent fees at 5%, requiring certain scholarship protections and setting medical-coverage standards.
The bill would require Division I schools to cover out-of-pocket costs for athletics-related injuries and illnesses for current athletes and for five years after their eligibility ends. It would also protect scholarships for up to 10 years after eligibility, allowing athletes additional time to complete their degrees.
The measure has direct consequences for North Carolina’s public and private colleges. Schools including UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. State, Duke, Wake Forest, East Carolina and other institutions would operate under the same federal standards rather than differing state requirements.
Updated bill language released Thursday would require the NCAA to monitor school compliance with health, safety and wellness standards. It would also preserve pending legal claims for past conduct and prevent a dispute-resolution process from blocking damages claims involving serious harm such as sexual assault or abuse.
The proposal would preempt state law in specified eligibility areas, including student status, academic requirements, professional-athlete status and years of eligibility. States and schools could still establish additional health and safety protections, according to the committee summary.
Supporters say a national system is needed to stabilize college sports, protect athletes and replace inconsistent state rules. Critics have raised questions about federal preemption, the NCAA’s proposed protections and whether the legislation would limit athletes’ bargaining or legal rights.
Thursday’s vote did not pass the bill. It allowed the Senate to begin considering the measure, with debate and possible final passage expected next week. Any Senate-approved version would also need House approval before reaching the president.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.