The SEC and Big Ten released a statement rejecting the current draft of the Protect College Sports Act, arguing it leaves critical issues unresolved. The legislation would grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce transfer limits, eligibility rules and coach‑poaching bans.

Both conferences say the bill fails to preempt state laws meaningfully, a core requirement for NCAA approval. Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell drafted the measure to align state regulations with federal policy, but the two richest leagues remain unconvinced.

The bill’s failure to address media‑rights pooling, a point the SEC and Big Ten claim would not yield significant financial gain, further weakens its appeal. With the Senate Commerce Committee hearing set for tomorrow, the conference opposition could stall the bill’s progress before it reaches a vote.

SEC and Big Ten’s stance signals that the two most powerful college‑sports leagues will not back a federal framework that could reshape transfer rules and eligibility without a clear benefit to their revenue streams.