YouSaid · the spoken record
Maria Cantwell
We hold 53 passages that may be Maria Cantwell’s. We do not publish them until we can confirm who spoke. See the correction.
On the record 2024–2026
congress · podcast
Every line below is reproduced as it was said and credited to the record it came from, and links to that record wherever it can be linked. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections
“We obviously have a very big difference of opinion, but there probably isn't a bigger gulf and difference of opinion. I say Senator Cruz and I probably disagree on 25 different issues, and that is just in the Commerce Committee, but if we can do that tonight and produce a product, I guarantee you the rest of us can. And tonight, it is about making sports about sports again. So I thank my colleagues for this legislation and now on to working with our colleagues in the House. I yield the floor.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I do want to thank my colleague Senator Moran, who is on the floor tonight, because he started this effort in the committee many years ago and had great thoughts on what we needed to do and got us all pointed in the right direction and kept the dialogue moving through myself and Senator Wicker, and then as Senators Booker and Blumenthal and I continued to dialogue, and then ultimately Senator Schmitt and I, and Senator Coons and Schmitt and I, and then ultimately this legislation with Senator Cruz and I. So this long, challenged situation of figuring out how to make more sense out of college sports, I want to thank him as well. So we definitely made the will of the Senate work tonight, and I hope we can do more of that. I hope we can find where there is the ability to solve problems.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Brad Grantz, his staff director; Nicole Christus; Joel Wellum--I want to thank Joel specifically because Joel obviously took a lot of direct questioning, a lot of pushing by us and me particularly, and I appreciate his hard work--Michael Spierto; Ryan Cannon; and Justin Adams and Casey Contres. So there is no way to really sum up all of the thanks in one statement.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“So I think it will go down in history as one of the most challenging issues because, unlike a lot of policy issues that we deal with here in the U.S. Senate, you have different issues and they follow a certain path. They follow a construct. It might be consumer versus business; it might be various things. In this case, we had a lot of different viewpoints across the entire ecosystem of sports. And if there was a characterization here, it was definitely that nobody wanted the two big divisions to run away and be a super league and continue to X out the revenue and that everybody wanted to drive some sanity back into the system. But that sounds simple compared to what these individuals went through. So I really can't thank enough Lila Helms, Melissa Porter, and Nicole Frazer for their incredible work on this.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Those individuals right there spent the majority of time working on this legislation. But Shannon Smith, who served on the committee for 5 years and recently retired, she deserves a jersey all by herself. I kid with her about saying it is going to say ``Jaxon Smith-Njigba,'' but instead, it is just going to say ``Shannon Smith'' and then some name because she deserves a new title for the immense amount of effort. We would just not even have a bill on the floor tonight if it weren't for her efforts. But Nicole and Melissa and Lila, I can't say enough about their leadership and patience in driving a process that was just fraught with different opinions. That is just all there is to it, fraught with different opinions and a lot of negotiations.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I also want to thank the many people on the Commerce Committee staff who--oh, I have to thank Senator Welch. Senator Welch also signing on early to the legislation, Senator Peters helping us with the Big 10, Senator Klobuchar doing the same, all of them were so helpful in this legislation. Now to the committee staff. Senator Cruz talked a lot about how this negotiation went on for months and months and months and hours and hours a day, and he talked about Cuban coffee. All that was true. It took a lot to keep us in a room discussing immense legal terms with a variety of conferences and individuals and athletes from all over the country. But I want to thank staff director Lila Helms, our general counsel Melissa Porter, Nicole Frazer, Phil Murphy, and Ramesh Nagarajan.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Literally, the Pac-12 blew up, took $35 million of revenue out of her institution, and she had to figure out a path forward and engage on this legislation and try to help us all think about what is a fair way to move college sports forward, and she did that. And I appreciate her time. And certainly Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould, who testified before the committee and added a lot of input about what not to do next, and I just can't thank her enough because I see even tonight some of this debate veered into the realm of what not to do. And I hope that we can continue to make corrections on that as we dialogue with our House colleagues because the last thing that we need to do is have another Pac-12 incident. But we need to grow regional sports, grow the regional system, and make it stronger.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“That also seconded, obviously, by Jack, who added an AD perspective to the debate. I also want to thank a couple of big Washingtonians who played a key role in this. Mark Few, the famous--now Hall of Fame--Gonzaga coach who was just constant--now I know what it would have been like to play for Gonzaga because he was constantly saying: Maria, it is just about getting the basics done, about eligibility, about transfer, and about basic rules. And he reminded me of that all the time. I also want to thank Washington AD Pat Chun, who took endless phone calls from us. I want to thank WSU President Cantwell, who was in a trying situation of her own.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Olympic provisions of the bill; Senator Lujan for drafting and getting amendments accepted related to the coaches; Senator Baldwin on a key amendment that we just adopted tonight by, as I said earlier, a record 96 to 1 vote, which shows that this place, when you let the right people in the room, can come to a conclusion--not just that, but that our colleagues also trust that that process can work too and rewarded that with a big, big vote tonight. So very much appreciate that. I also appreciate the President's sports council--Randy Levine, Cody Campbell, Jack Swarbrick--all played big roles in this, probably nobody more than Randy Levine in constantly pushing the White House point of view on this legislation and Cody Campbell making sure that everybody understood that opening up the Sports Broadcasting Act was a great idea.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“But there is no way we would have gotten this legislation over the goal line without Senator Schmitt and Senator Coons, and I just want to thank them immensely for their long partnership in working with Senator Cruz and myself. And I also want to thank James Barton, who is with Senator Coons, because he played a key role in all of this, and I very much appreciate his support. I also want to thank key members of the Commerce Committee because they played very important roles in this: Senator Hickenlooper drafting the language and negotiation as it related to the U.S.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“First of all, I want to thank Senator Cruz for his partnership on this legislation and working to create a bipartisan bill that I think the majority of our colleagues showed tonight that they support, and I hope that we will get our colleagues in the House of Representatives to also agree on that before the end of the year. Obviously, this legislative process is a challenging one, and we would not have been here at this moment without a lot of help from a lot of different people. I want to thank especially Senators Schmitt and Coons for their tremendous leadership in being partners with Senator Cruz and I on this legislation. The two of them provided key input, support--debatable, argumentative points of view at various points of time.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I note that the Protect College Sports Act is also critical to local broadcasters. Right now, too many college football games are trapped behind paywalls. The Protect College Sports Act aims to change that by supporting consumers' access to TV. And I understand Senator Moran has entered a statement in the record on this topic; and I agree with him on this, in putting college football on free TV on local broadcasting stations instead of in paywalls. I did not, before the vote, take time to thank all the people involved with this legislation, and I would like to take that opportunity now.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, the Senate has worked its will tonight, and that is a rare occasion on something this complicated but this important for America's future. I thank all my colleagues. I urge a ``yes'' vote and will speak after the vote in more detail.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, speaking in opposition to the amendment, this would simply strike the entire bill and give a major antitrust exemption to the NCAA to write whatever rules they want. I think all of us can agree here that this process isn't working with the NCAA, and Congress has intervened to set rules. I want to applaud our colleagues for the 96-to-1 vote we just had on the Baldwin-Schmitt amendment--a very complicated part of the law, but nonetheless we can all agree. So it says to me this body can figure this out. I urge our colleagues to continue and not strike the majority of the bill but implement it so we can get on at protecting college sports. I urge a ``no'' vote. Vote on Amendment No. 6758”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“So I am not for us losing in the Olympics because we undermine college athletics in an arms race because we don't want to put rules in place. So the Thurgood Marshall Fund also supports this. Team USA athletes all support this. And it is just time for us to get this issue over the top. That is really what we are talking about. It is not the final solution. It is putting a pin in the problems to stabilize the loss of women's and Olympic sports and to create the opportunity to discuss the larger structure moving forward. That is why I think we have so much support. It doesn't mean that we have solved every problem, but it means that we are on our way to solving the problems that exist and preserving the opportunities for the future. So let's get it over the top. I am very proud of this athlete, and she is a perfect example. Okay. She is No.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Now, what are we going to do when we have the next Olympics or the one after that and you literally have not trained and skilled the athletes? Some of our biggest institutions are the ones who provide 70 percent of these athletes, and so if we don't stabilize and say ``stop cutting women's and Olympic sports,'' then we are going to be standing at an Olympics where we are not winning and going to ask why. I didn't want to deal with this issue, but when a kid from my State-- from a famous part of our State, White Pass, where the Mahre brothers won gold skiing in the Olympics because they grew up on that pass-- basically, this kid couldn't snowboard for us and went and snowboarded for Russia and won medals. I was like, this is a problem.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“So the American Conference Student Athletes Advisory Committee, Rocky Mountain Athletic Association Student Athletes Advisory Committee, American Rivers Conference Student Athlete Advisory Committee, the New England Conference Student Athletic Advisory Committee--I could keep going and going and going. So there is support by athletes for this bill, but it is also endorsed by the United Negro College Fund because they believe that this bill will help stabilize one aspect of DI football that is really challenging, and that is the system. It is also endorsed by the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the reason it is endorsed by the U.S. Olympic Committee is because they know we are going to help preserve Olympic sports.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We stand ready to work with you and your colleagues as the legislation advances to promote our shared commitment to opportunity, excellence, and continued American leadership in sport on the global stage. Thank you for your consideration and your leadership on this important issue.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Together, these policies are not only critical to the Olympic and Paralympic movement, and Team USA athletes--they also reflect longstanding bipartisan priorities to promote gender equity, and support student-athlete development across all sports. At a time of significant change in college athletics, these safeguards are necessary and will help protect scholarships, roster spots, sport sponsorship, participation opportunities, and athlete representation that are essential to sustaining the next generation of collegiate student athletes--including those aspiring to compete for Team USA. We encourage Congress to support the Protect College Sports Act and to ensure athlete opportunities for current and future generations of women and men's scholarship-supported collegiate sports are not jeopardized.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“The bill preserves the current 16-sport minimum for FBS institutions and 14-sport minimum for FCS institutions, while prohibiting the NCAA or any successor governing body from lowering Division I sport sponsorship or minimum participant requirements. Paralympic walk-on opportunities and student-athlete representation. The bill clarifies that collegiate athletic programs may continue to accept walk-on Paralympic student- athletes without counting them toward roster caps. Athlete representation in intercollegiate governance. This legislation mandates athletes have a seat at the table in NCAA (or successor institutions) governance bodies which helps elevate athlete voice in decision-making affecting their futures.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“For institutions with annual athletics revenue above $80 million, the bill maintains 2024-25 scholarship and roster levels for Olympic and non-revenue sports, with economic hardship waivers that requires cuts to revenue- generating sports' coaching compensation before cutting scholarship and roster levels for women and men's collegiate Olympic sports. Transitional protections for mid-sized athletic departments. For institutions with annual athletics revenue between $50 million and $80 million, the bill maintains 2024- 25 scholarship and roster levels for four years, providing important near-term stability for Olympic and non-revenue sports. Division I sport sponsorship protections.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“The Protect College Sports Act recognizes the importance of Olympic and Paralympic sports and includes several provisions that provide meaningful stability for student athlete opportunities in Division I sports and the collegiate pipeline that supports Team USA: The Protect College Sports Act would help ensure that athlete opportunities in collegiate Olympic and Paralympic sports are not reduced as the college athletics model continues to evolve. To preserve America's global leadership in sport and ensure broad-based access for student-athletes, we respectfully support the following elements of the legislation: Scholarship and roster protections for large athletic departments.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“As the Senate considers the Protect College Sports Act, we respectfully urge you to support this critical bill, providing necessary opportunity safeguards for women and men competing in collegiate Olympic and Paralympic sports. For decades, college athletics has served as the primary pathway for Team USA athletes and the backbone of record- setting U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. Thanks to the success of college football and basketball, Olympic and Paralympic sports have been able to thrive. However, without meaningful guardrails, there is a risk of unintentionally eliminating these critical opportunities for broad-based student athletes.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“As Congress modernizes the NIL landscape, ensuring that HBCUs have equitable access to the opportunities created by these reforms is not simply an athletics issue. This is an investment in educational excellence, workforce development, economic rnobiiity, and America's longterm competitiveness. ____ July 15, 2026. Dear Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and Members of the United States Senate: We write as proud U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and Team USA Athletes who benefited directly from the collegiate sports system, and who remain committed to ensuring that future generations of athletes have the same opportunity to compete at the collegiate level and represent Team USA on the world stage.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Throughout this process, your willingness to engage stakeholders across higher education and collegiate athletics has produced a thoughtful framework that reflects both the complexity of today's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) environment and the shared goal of preserving opportunity for student-athletes and the institutions that serve them. We are reassured by your commitment to work with us this year concerning the lingering issue of debt for many institutions wo represent. We are especially appreciative of the Cornmittee's incorporation of provisions reflecting the objectives of the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Creating a single federal standard would allow these schools to remain focused and devote every possible resource to their core mission of educating the next generation of our country's leaders. TMCF stands ready to assist in this bipartisan effort to provide stability to the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics. Sincerely, Dr. Harry L. Williams, President & CEO. ____ Thursday, August 6, 2026. Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell: On behalf of UNCF (United Negro College Fund), I write to express our enthusiastic support for the Protect College Sports Act and to thank you for your exceptional bipartisan leadership in advancing this landmark legislation.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We are pleased that this bill will now authorizes $900 million to enhance broadband capabilities at HBCUs; however, the inclusion of this provision only highlights the need for Congress to pass the bipartisan IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act to address the comprehensive deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs on our campuses. HBCU athletics, along with the traditions and pageantry that accompany them, are vital parts of the HBCU experience. From the festivities of homecoming to the sounds of the marching bands, many traditions associated with HBCUs are directly linked to athletic competition. Increasingly, however, a patchwork of state laws and the rapidly rising costs of compliance have placed an undue burden on the schools with the fewest resources.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Dear Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, Senator Schmidtt and Senator Coons: Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community, TMCF rueluber schools include publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) and historically Black community colleges (HBCCs). Our member institutions represent 80% of all students attending HBCUs, Notably, 22 of the 23 HBCUs playing Division I sports are represented by TMCF. I am writing to join the commissioners of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in support of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We appreciate your continued commitment to listening to the voices of student-athletes and look forward to working with you to ensure college athletics are protected! If you have any questions or would like to hear more about our experiences as Division II student-athletes, please reach out. Thank you for your time, and consideration. Sincerely, Sean Belzer, UCCS Men's Soccer, RMAC National SAAC Representative. ____ August 4, 2026.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We also appreciate that the Protect College Sports Act remains focused on protecting student-athletes. In Division II, the primary objective is to earn a degree while competing at the highest level. The bill's provisions on NIL transparency, agent accountability, academic protections, healthcare benefits, governance reform, and competitive fairness all support that goal. It ensures that student- athletes are supported not only during their playing careers but long after graduation. As representatives of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, we urge you to support the Protect College Sports Act. This legislation represents a meaningful step toward creating a stable future for college athletics while preserving the values that make Division II unique.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“The PCSA acknowledges these differences by protecting the educational model that has long defined Division II while allowing student-athletes to benefit from modem opportunities in a fair and sustainable manner. This legislation is particularly meaningful for the states represented within the RMAC. A large majority of our student athletes stay in the noted states upon graduation--becoming teachers, healthcare professionals, coaches, business leaders, military members, and public servants. Having a strong Division II athletic program can contribute directly to local economies, strengthen communities, and expand access for thousands of students across the Rocky Mountain region. Supporting Division II athletics means investing in the workforce, leadership, and communities that help our states thrive.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Rather, we focus on having a deep connection within our local community. It means so much more to be a part of an environment where we can represent our institutions, serve our communities, and earn a valuable education. Our student-athletes often balance rigorous academics with athletics, campus leadership, employment, internships, and community service. The Division II philosophy emphasizes this concept of `life in the balance'. The Protect College Sports Act provides that stability and balance. By establishing a consistent framework for name, image, and likeness (NIL), transfer regulations, eligibility standards, and student-athlete protections- it creates a level playing field for institutions across every NCAA division.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“____ Statement of Support From the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Dear Esteemed Members of the United States Senate: My name is Sean Belzer and I am a men's soccer player at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs representing the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. I write on behalf of thousands of Division II student-athletes across Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah to express our strong support for the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) of 2026. Division II athletics represents a unique and essential part of higher education. Unlike many Division I institutions, we do not compete for multimillion-dollar television contracts and any other of high-profile revenue opportunities.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I appreciate your continued engagement with student- athletes on legislation impacting college athletics. Representing thousands of student-athletes, I remain committed to partnering in these discussions and sharing their perspectives. I look forward to continued collaboration to ensure college athletics prioritizes opportunity, education, competition, and student-athlete well-being. Thank you for your consideration and for your dedication to the future of college sports and public service. Sincerely, Davis Bone, Conference of New England Representative, DIII National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We also believe the bill can be strengthened to further provide the stability it seeks by closing loopholes so states can't make laws to skirt enforcement for violating rules and ensure the bill applies to the especially disruptive current and pending lawsuits, not just future ones. While the legislation remains neutral on student-athlete employment status, this issue will continue to shape the future of college athletics. Student- athletes across all divisions consistently express a desire to preserve the educational model that makes college sports a unique opportunity for academic, athletic, and leadership development. As these conversations continue, we encourage policymakers to prioritize broad-based participation opportunities and the long-term sustainability of the collegiate athletics model.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We also support NIL provisions such as agent registration, a national registry, transparency measures, and fee limits, which help protect student-athletes from exploitation. In addition, we strongly support a standardized national NIL framework paired with targeted antitrust protections to reduce legal uncertainty and allow student-athletes, institutions, conferences, and practitioners to develop and enforce consistent, durable rules without constant litigation risk. As the Senate refines the legislation, we encourage preserving governance pathways for recently graduated student-athletes serving in high-level leadership, allowing for sport-specific transfer windows, and strengthening protections for women's and Olympic sports.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I am grateful for the bipartisan efforts of Senators Cantwell and Cruz in advancing the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) and for their continued engagement with student- athletes on issues impacting college athletics. Student- athletes need lawmakers to step up and ensure thoughtful, effective policies that reflect their experiences and support the long-term success of college sports. I appreciate the steps this legislation takes to address current challenges and strengthen the college athletics model. On behalf of the conference, we strongly support the bill's protections for student-athletes of all divisions, including transfer rights and NIL opportunities, with safeguards for coaching changes, sports discontinuation, graduate transfers, and cases involving sexual assault or harassment.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Competition is not the only aspect of a student-athlete's college experience and protecting that versatility is essential for the development of young professionals in all aspects of life. The PCSA lays a framework that will allow student-athletes to succeed not only during their eligibility, but also after their time in the NCAA concludes. I formally endorse the Protect College Sports Act as a crucial step toward giving the NCAA additional stability to continue creating opportunities for athletes like myself. I welcome the chance to further engage with you and your staff on issues affecting the student-athlete experience. Thank you for your time and dedication to improving college athletics. As the representative of the American Rivers Conference SAAC, Carson Strukel Coe College Athletics, Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Although I am disappointed in the PCSA's neutral stance on the question of student-athlete employment status, I understand that this is a complicated issue that must be further discussed. Despite the lack of protection over the non-employment status of student-athletes, the PCSA still provides an excellent framework for academic standards, eligibility, and transfer regulations. The PCSA establishes a proper baseline to apply these standards, leveling the playing field with consistent and fair expectations for college athletics across all NCAA divisions. As a current Division III student-athlete, knowing that future student-athletes will be protected from unfair competition while having room for more opportunities to enhance their collegiate experience is beyond exciting.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“As a student-athlete who competes across two sports in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C), I want to express my strong support for the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) of 2026. I believe this legislation is essential to protect the integrity of collegiate athletics across every sport. This legislation addresses key areas that impact student-athletes' day-to-day experiences, including NIL, eligibility, transfers, injuries, representation, safety, and academics. Each of these areas is incredibly important to address to ensure the preservation of the integrity of collegiate athletics across all sports. The PCSA allows for protections over student-athlete privileges in each of these areas, which I am confident is imperative for the optimization of the student-athlete experrence in years to come.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We appreciate your bipartisan efforts to protect student- athletes, and we urge lawmakers to continue this important work that expand opportunity, promote fairness and transparency, and support long-term stability. Thank you for your leadership and consideration of these important issues. Sincerely, Joy Graziano, Chair, Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee, American Conference. ____ Statement of Support from the American Rivers Conference Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Dear Senator Grassley, My name is Carson Strukel, and I am a men's cross country and track and field student athlete at Coe College, representing the student-athletes of the American Rivers Conference at the Division III level.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Recent legal, regulatory, and economic changes have created significant uncertainty for student-athletes, institutions, and conferences, and a national framework is needed to ensure that college athletics continues to serve current and future generations of students. We support the Protect College Sports Act for the following reasons: 1. Student-athletes deserve clear and consistent national rules. The current patchwork of state laws and court decisions has created inconsistency across state lines and within conference affiliation. Student-athletes should not face different rights, obligations, or opportunities simply because they compete in different states. A uniform federal framework would provide greater transparency and consistency for everyone involved. 2.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“I am very excited about a commission that we create in this bill to hear more from student athletes. But student athletes and their committees--and these are all the letters from student athletes from various conferences across the United States. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that those letters be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: June 15, 2026. Dear Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell: As chair of the American Conference Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee (SAAC), I am writing to express our support for the Protect College Sports Act of 2026.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Now, a lot of people have said: Well, what are you going to do about the HBCU infrastructure because they are part of Division I football? You know, the SEC and others came along and said: Oh, just kick them out of Division I. We are like: No, that is a really bad idea. We are not going to push them out of Division I football. We are going to grow their capabilities in communication because, just like other people, they want their games seen, they want their broadcast, they want their broadband, but they don't have it. So this bill includes a $900 million authorization to help upgrade the schools that have been most impacted without the communications capabilities. A lot of my colleagues would say: Well, where is that student athlete support?”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“If you don't do a pooling of media rights, we also have a provision for the next several years that makes people keep their women's and Olympic roster slots--so very important aspect of the bill. There is this big complaint about the amount of money going to coaches, and I welcome any discussion about how to fix this issue. And I want to thank my colleague Senator Lujan for the brilliant amendment that he offered in committee because, basically, it says you can only pay a coach--with fees from the education system--$500,000 a year and if you want to pay them any more than that, you have to go get somebody in the private sector to go pay that. So we are not going to be held hostage, as taxpayers, to these coaches' salaries. And in addition, we make it a requirement that you cannot transfer in the middle of the year.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Because who is paying the bill right now? The No. 1 person paying the bill is a hundred programs and a thousand women and Olympic athletes because they don't make money, so the easiest way to save money in an institution is to cut them right now. And so we are trying to stop that. Our legislation says, yes, we are willing to give the college teams an antitrust exemption to pool their media rights and make more money, but only if they protect women's and Olympic sports. And just to be clear because there is a little misunderstanding about this: You don't get to have the antitrust exemption and then later cut these programs. You only get the antitrust exemption if you keep the women's and Olympic sports.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“And the reason why it is so frustrating is there are four schools just in the State of Virginia that are putting exorbitant tuition fees on their students just to pay for college education. There are people that are cutting science programs, cutting professors, cutting other programs just to pay for college sports when, in reality, we need all those to beat China and compete--and not have an arms race in sports. So right now, the median debt for schools in the Big Four conferences--their median debt is $120 million. What are they doing? Now, I know everybody would like to blame it on coaches, and I guarantee you there are a few coaches that need to get called out. But the main reason for this is not because we are paying athletes. It is not because we have all agreed that they deserve to have part of this revenue.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“We also believe in a health and safety standard in Federal law, one that protects the athletes beyond the way the law works today and gives them the right to sue and hold these people accountable for any kind of health and safety violations. This is something that my colleagues Senator Blumenthal and Senator Booker and I and others worked on diligently, and we want to continue to make sure it is enshrined in this statute. And then medical coverage for 5 years post-eligibility and capping agents' fees at 5 percent. So my colleagues have said: Why do this? Why do this now? Well, that is because 94 percent of the DI--that is the biggest division of athletes; there are three divisions, and then other associations--94 percent of those DI programs are in the red. So that is a pretty big issue.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Alston by the Supreme Court, said: Yes, I think athletes deserve a recognition of revenue, but Congress could step in and change that. And my colleagues may know that the House of Representatives did try to change that. The House of Representatives did try to pass a bill that said: No, they don't deserve revenue sharing. They don't deserve revenue sharing. That is the bill the House came very close to passing. And so tonight, we are taking a monumental step that I agree that maybe not all 100 people agree on, but I think the majority of our colleagues agree on these two principles that the Supreme Court also has spoken to, but that we are now putting in a Federal law because, as Brett Kavanaugh said, Congress could change its mind. Congress could do something differently. But tonight, we are speaking. We believe in these two things.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“But compensation on revenue sharing is probably the most important thing we could possibly enshrine in Federal law today. This is saying, for the first time, that an athlete gets a percentage of the media rights, the ticket sales, and the sponsorship. That has not been said before in a court case decision. It was agreed to in a settlement agreement--in a settlement agreement called Grant House v. NCAA. Now, that settlement agreement has had its ups and downs, and I hope it prevails, but I know this: We can put into Federal law that enshrinement so that the Senate is clear. My colleagues have said: Why do this now? Well, because there was a difference of opinion, and even Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in the decision of NCAA v.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗