Debate Intensifies Over Protect College Sports Act Amid Title IX Concerns

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The Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan effort, aims to create a structured approach to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation within the NCAA framework. The bill has found support across political lines but has also faced criticism regarding potential loopholes, especially those impacting Title IX.

Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) discussed the bill at a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee roundtable in the Russell Building on June 10, 2026. Critics like Riley Gaines of OutKick and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voiced concerns about the bill on social media platforms.

Ted Cruz urged the Senate to remain in Washington until the Protect College Sports Act passes this week.

Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt addressed any fears about the bill’s impact on Title IX during an appearance on Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich. Schmitt assured that the bill’s language would not preempt Title IX, stating, “I think a further review or a deeper look into the language would show that that’s just not true at all. There’s specific language in there that protects civil rights laws of states. There’s no preemption there. And it specifically says this doesn’t change or modify title nine at all.”

Schmitt highlighted the momentum behind the bill in Washington, emphasizing the urgency to act before the Senate’s recess. This urgency stems not only from the recess but also from long-standing issues in college athletics like unrestricted transfers and significant age disparities among athletes.

This is a really important bill to kind of calm the chaos that we’ve got in college sports with unlimited transfers and 27-year-olds competing against 17-year-olds,” Schmitt stated.

Senator Josh Hawley, alongside other Republicans, including former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville, proposed an amendment to prevent the bill from overriding state women’s sports laws.

The battle over the Protect College Sports Act continues, with different GOP Senators pushing their agendas. Austin Perry writes for OutKick, reporting on the ongoing discussions surrounding this legislative effort.