Senate Passes 77-22 College Sports Bill, Raising Player Pay Cap to $49 Million

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 29

$27.5 million in added direct-pay authority is a central effect of the Senate-passed Protect College Sports Act, lifting the current $21.5 million cap to about $49 million as the bill heads to the House.
Roughly 30 football teams already spend at least $30 million on payroll and about half top $40 million, underscoring why supporters want federal enforcement but also why critics doubt the bill will stop workarounds.
The measure also limits athletes to one penalty-free transfer, sets a five-year eligibility window starting at age 19 or after high school, caps agent fees at 5%, and bars schools from cutting Olympic sports for nine years.
Opponents argue the higher cap could entrench the gap between the richest programs and everyone else, while the bill stays neutral on athlete employment and unionization—issues the House could still reopen.