AI-assisted analysis based on the official CRS summary. Source version: Jun 23, 2026. Analysis updated: Sep 18, 2026.
01 — The Text
What.
- Prohibits colleges, conferences, and the NCAA from restricting student athletes from entering name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements, subject to specified limitations
- Requires student athletes to report NIL compensation exceeding $600 to their institution
- Caps agent endorsement contract fees at 5% and requires agents to register with a state
- Provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences that pool and sell college sports media rights, contingent on participation by at least 75% of Football Bowl Subdivision institutions
- Permits student athletes one transfer without losing athletic eligibility and restricts football personnel from becoming head coach at a different institution during the same season
02 — The Stakes
So what?
- Makes permanent the limit on revenue sharing with student athletes established under the House settlement in college athlete NIL litigation, subject to annual inflation adjustments
- Prohibits institutions and conferences from providing athletes compensation designed to circumvent the revenue-sharing limit
- Limited antitrust exemption applies only to specified joint agreements for transferring telecasting rights and requires supermajority institutional participation
- Effects of these provisions on athlete compensation levels, institutional finances, or media market outcomes are not established in the official summary
03 — The Path
Now what?
- Senate motion to proceed to consideration agreed to on September 17, 2026 (77–22 vote)
- Cloture motions presented on the measure and amendments on September 17, 2026
- Senate motion to recommit to Commerce Committee with amendment instructions presented September 17, 2026
- Measure laid before Senate by motion on September 17, 2026
Legislative History
Actions.
- Sep 17, 2026 — Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate.
- Sep 17, 2026 — Cloture motion on amendment SA 6776 presented in Senate.
- Sep 17, 2026 — Motion by Senator Thune to recommit to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 6781) made in Senate.
- Sep 17, 2026 — Measure laid before Senate by motion.
- Sep 17, 2026 — Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 22. Record Vote Number: 236.
- Sep 17, 2026 — Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
- Sep 16, 2026 — Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
- Sep 15, 2026 — Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.