After years of debate over NIL, the transfer portal, eligibility rules, the growing number of “older” x-pros and international athletes and the overall changing landscape of collegiate athletics, the Congress has introduced the Protect College Sports Act. While the legislation still faces significant political hurdles, it has generated optimism among many college sports fans—particularly those who follow Olympic sports like track & field. The NCAA has signaled readiness and intentions to have these proposed changes go into effect for the 2027/2028 season.
Here is a look at the encouraging features of the Act as drafted:
Restoring the Collegiate Timeline: The “5-for-5” Model
The most anticipated feature of the bill is the establishment of age limits – establishing a clear, continuous five-year eligibility clock starting immediately after high school graduation. No more infinite gap years, redshirting or 25-year-old freshmen.
Protection for non-revenue “Olympic” sports
Track and field fans know how crucial it is to safeguard non-revenue sports in an era of exploding football and basketball budgets. These protections could significantly reduce the likelihood of future program cuts.
Backed by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the Protect College Sports Act explicitly prohibits high-revenue athletic departments (those earning over $80 million) from cutting women’s or Olympic sports teams or reducing their roster spots below 2024-25 levels.
For mid-major programs with smaller budgets, the bill establishes a $60 million federal Medical Trust Fund. This fund is specifically designed to help smaller Division I schools absorb new student-athlete healthcare mandates (see below) without being forced to downsize their broad sports portfolios.
Support for Student-Athlete Welfare
The bill also introduces health and education benefits that elevate university injury-recovery responsibility for their athletes. Division I schools would cover out-of-pocket medical costs for sports-related injuries during an athlete’s career and for five years post-eligibility. Also In addition, financial aid could not be reduced or revoked because of injury or athletic performance. Schools would also be required to honor scholarships for up to 10 years, allowing athletes who step away from school to return later and complete their degree.
One Transfer: Stability in Roster Building and NIL
The bill also seeks to bring greater stability to team rosters by creating a national framework for both NIL and the transfer portal. Athletes would be permitted one penalty-free transfer, while subsequent transfers would require a sit-out year. The legislation would also require NIL agreements worth more than $600 to be reported in an anonymized public database, increasing transparency and helping athletes better understand their value in the market.
The Opposing Voices?
Critics argue that the legislation goes too far in restricting athlete freedom. Several player advocacy groups contend that limiting transfers and establishing a fixed eligibility clock could unfairly affect athletes recovering from serious injuries, military service, missions, or pregnancy. Others believe the bill could weaken athletes’ ability to negotiate compensation or pursue employee status and collective bargaining rights.
The richest conferences (the “Super League” Block) object to limitations on their ability to consolidate further, pool their media rights and operate without federal roadblocks.
In short, fans and most Universities have been clamoring for limitations on the excesses and chaos in NCAA athletics…but there are some entities and athletes (and lawyers and agents) who believe in the free-market freedoms associated with today’s NCAA. They have benefited the most during this turbulent time in NCAA history and are pushing back at the proposed constraints.
