The U.S. Senate is planning to vote in the coming days on a bill that would significantly shape the future of college sports. The Protect College Sports Act addresses myriad topics that are contributing to an unstable and often messy period for the college sports industry as it transitions to a more professional model for its biggest schools and most popular sports. The bill is the result of more than a half-decade of steady lobbying from the NCAA, conferences, their schools and other advocacy groups.

Supporters have made bold claims that the treasured American institution of college sports will be irreparably harmed if Congress doesn't act. Opponents say the bill is an attempt to restore authority to a set of power brokers who have a long history of exploiting athletes. Both sides have dabbled in bad sports analogies, hyperbolic warnings and misleading statements.

The PCSA increases the amount of money schools can spend on direct payments to their players by $27.5 million, more than doubling the current $21.5-million spending cap. The bill does not include any provision that would require or encourage athletic departments to spend less money. The college sports industry tried to install a hard cap last June through the House Settlement, a deal that ended a series of antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and its power conferences.

The leagues built a new enforcement group called the College Sports Commission to make sure the name, image and likeness deals athletes sign with groups other than their schools are legitimate endorsements. Despite a cap of $21.5 million this year, roughly 30 football teams have a payroll of $30 million or more, according to industry sources that help facilitate player payments.