College sports reform bill stalls as Senate heads into recess

The Senate’s attempt to overhaul college athletics financing entered a critical phase without a confirmed test vote as the chamber entered its August recess. The bill, crafted by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Democrat Maria Cantwell, would establish a uniform standard for athlete compensation, including name, image and likeness rights, and restrict players to a single transfer within five years. Support from the Big Ten and SEC was seen as essential, yet the proposal faced pushback from conservatives concerned about gender-specific protections and from the Congressional Black Caucus, which says the plan omits Black athletes’ perspectives.

President Donald Trump publicly demanded that senators remain in Washington to approve the measure, but the Senate has not scheduled a vote. With the legislative deadline looming in early April, the future of the reform remains uncertain.