Iowa sports fans and families watching the skyrocketing costs and chaos in college athletics got a mixed signal from the U.S. Senate this weekend. The Protect College Sports Act failed to reach a vote during an all-night pre-recess session that ended early Saturday. However, the bill earned a spot on the Senate's September calendar, giving it another chance to become law.
For Iowans, this is personal. The University of Iowa's athletic program is a powerhouse, and the Hawkeyes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have been a flashpoint in the national debate. The bill aims to rein in the spending spree that has turned college sports into a high-stakes free-for-all, where third-party deals can funnel uncapped cash to players.
What the Protect College Sports Act Would Do
The bill's biggest feature is a redefinition of third-party NIL deals. Currently, schools can share up to $21.3 million in revenue across all players. But uncapped money flows through multimedia rights companies that sell a school's promotional assets and move cash to players. The new law would expand the revenue share to up to $48.8 million, creating a retention pool to curb runaway costs.
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a co-sponsor, said he and his colleagues have worked hard to end the chaos surrounding college sports. He predicted the bill would receive support from 60 or more senators. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., another co-sponsor, said the bill protects women's and Olympic sports, a key concern for many Iowa families.
Why the Bill Hit a Wall
The bill's path has been a roller coaster. Introduced in late May, it quickly failed to gain support from the Big Ten and SEC, the two largest conferences. Those conferences signed on after negotiations late last month, but the bill then faced skepticism from lawmakers in SEC states, including Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
The Congressional Black Caucus and AFL-CIO also opposed it. Amendments on unrelated issues piled up. A packed Senate agenda, including a short-term funding bill and the narrow confirmation of Todd Blanche for Attorney General, pushed the Protect College Sports Act to the back of the line.
What This Means for Iowa
For Iowa, the bill's fate matters deeply. The Hawkeyes' Caitlin Clark is a prime example of how organic third-party deals work. Her State Farm sponsorship came because she was Caitlin Clark, not because Iowa had a deal with State Farm. The new law would leave room for such organic deals while tightening rules on those brokered through school-affiliated entities.
Sports leaders hope the retention pool of money will slow spending. But Christy Hedgpeth, president of Playfly Sports Properties, told the Associated Press that NIL deals will continue to grow. On an average roster, she said, far more than 20 players will have several NIL deals, and they don't have to be nationally recognizable.
What's Next
If the Senate passes the bill in September, it faces a steep climb in the House, which is more narrowly divided. The House tried for months to bring the less athlete-friendly SCORE Act to a vote and failed repeatedly.
Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said college sports needs fixing and the bill is a good solution. He got it teed up for next month. For Iowa families, the wait continues.