WASHINGTON, D.C. (WVDN) – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) cosponsored the Protect College Sports Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.).
The bill would establish national standards governing NIL, transfers, eligibility, and enforcement. Last month, the Commerce Committee advanced the bill with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of more than two thirds (19-9) in support, propelling its advancement to the Senate floor.
“I am proud to cosponsor the Protect College Sports Act and support this effort to bring structure and stability back to college athletics. This legislation serves as an updated playbook to repair a fractured system by preventing the exploitation of student athletes, holding agents and coaches accountable, providing certainty through needed guardrails, and putting education first. It also includes an amendment I authored to preserve both women’s and Olympic sports’ visibility and media rights, helping these sports continue to grow and inspire the next generation of athletes. With the landscape of college athletics rapidly evolving, I believe we all agree that something needs to be done, and this bill puts those needed steps into action,” Senator Capito said.
BACKGROUND:
Support for the legislation includes 24 collegiate athletic conferences, 280 colleges and universities across 49 states and Washington, D.C. Additional endorsements for the bill include: the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Team USA Athletes’ Commission (Team USA AC), and National Governing Body Council (NGBC). To view the full list of supporters, click here.
Earlier this month, Senator Capito joined WBOY’s Gold and Blue Nation Podcast to discuss the Protect College Sports Act and her support for the legislation. Listen to Senator Capito’s full interview here.
