Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Statement on Senate Consideration of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Labor Caucus Co-Chairs  Steven Horsford (NV-04), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) issued the following statement on the Senate consideration of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026:

“College sports is a multi-billion-dollar business. Collegiate athletes deserve their fair share for their labor and contributions to this industry. The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (S.4668), does not go far enough to adequately protect collegiate athletes, their rights to their name, image, and likeness (NIL), and their fundamental right to collective bargaining.

The bill as it stands, does not adequately resolve the core issues of defining and improving players’ control, involvement, and input on the conditions of participating in collegiate athletics.

It creates an antitrust shield that allows the NCAA and its conferences to cap athlete revenue-sharing and dictate working conditions – bypassing any efforts to engage in good-faith negotiations or bargaining that raise standards for players, while effectively treating them as employees in all but name.

We have strongly advocated for a system that offers certainty to athletes and industry while providing players the meaningful safeguards they deserve. Over the last several years, college athletes have made significant strides to reclaim control of their rights. The legislation is a step in the wrong direction as it shifts control to those at the top at the direct expense of the players that have made this industry successful.

While we cannot support the bill in its current form, we strongly urge our Senate colleagues to engage with athletes to improve the legislation and empower players over the interests of a multi-billion-dollar industry.”