Big Ten Says It Will Back College Sports Bill Only After Final Revisions Arrive

At the start of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, commissioner Tony Petitti announced that the conference is ready to back the Protect College Sports Act, provided the legislation is amended to meet the league’s requirements. He explained that legislators have fielded a flood of inquiries about the bill’s specifics in the last week and a dozen calls have centered on the Sports Broadcasting Act component and federal guidelines that would preempt state interference.

Petitti emphasized that the Big Ten needs the corrected language before it can shift its position and share it with university leadership. He expects the revised draft to arrive later that afternoon and pledged that staff will examine it without delay. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, Chris Coons and Eric Schmitt, already enjoys support from the ACC, Big 12 and major professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB. The conference also highlighted alignment with the SEC on key issues, underscoring the importance of precise wording for future conference realignment and scheduling rules.