Bill would Amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to Address College Sports’ Revenue Problem.
Amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to address problems with college sports revenue.
Occurrences
allows schools to pool their media rights to raise revenue
Evidence
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On March 6, 2026, Senators Eric Schmitt and Maria Cantwell released a bipartisan discussion draft of the College Sports Competitiveness Act, aiming to amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to allow colleges to pool their media rights in broadcast negotiations. This amendment is intended to generate more revenue for college sports and address existing revenue disparities.
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The College Sports Competitive Act, introduced by Senators Cantwell and Schmitt, proposes amending the Sports Broadcasting Act to allow colleges to pool their media rights in broadcast negotiations. This change is projected to generate over $9 billion in new revenue for college sports, aiming to stabilize schools in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
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On February 13, 2026, Senator Schmitt unveiled a national blueprint to restore stability in college athletics. The blueprint outlines four core principles, including securing stability, fixing the framework, protecting players and non-revenue sports, and putting fans first. It emphasizes the need for congressional action to safeguard the future of college sports.
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On April 3, 2026, Senator Cantwell released a statement regarding President Trump's executive order on college sports, highlighting the need for bipartisan discussions to increase revenue and support women's and Olympic sports. She referenced the College Sports Competitive Act as a legislative effort to address these issues.
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The Senate Commerce Committee held a June 3, 2026 hearing on the college-sports bill, with witnesses including Nick Saban, Pete Bevacqua, Gordon Gee, Teresa Gould, and Lance Holtzclaw.
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The bipartisan discussion draft says the College Sports Competitive Act would amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to let colleges pool media rights and increase college-sports revenue.
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Schmitt said Congress must step in on college sports and outlined a blueprint that includes maximizing value from media deals, restoring stability, and prioritizing long-term success in college athletics.
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Schmitt and Cantwell released a bipartisan discussion draft of the College Sports Competitiveness Act, saying it would amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to let colleges pool media rights and increase revenue.
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The Senate Commerce Committee press release says the discussion draft would amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to allow colleges to pool media rights, with the goal of generating more than $9 billion in new revenue.
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The discussion draft text amends section 1 of the Sports Broadcasting Act to add a college-sports antitrust exemption for joint sales or transfers of broadcast and media rights.
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The Senate Commerce Committee held a June 3, 2026 hearing on college sports, with witnesses including Nick Saban, Pete Bevacqua, Gordon Gee, Teresa Gould, and Lance Holtzclaw.
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"setting up the chamber for debate and possible final passage next week."
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"Section 1 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291) is amended"
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"Vote Result: Motion to Proceed Agreed to"
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"Schmitt (R-MO), Yea"
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"Vote Result: Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to"
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"pro forma session only with no business conducted"
Assessments
Schmitt materially advanced the promise in his current Senate term by co-releasing a bipartisan discussion draft, the College Sports Competitiveness Act, that would amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to let colleges pool media rights and increase revenue. He also publicly promoted the policy and the proposal received Senate Commerce Committee consideration, including a June 3, 2026 hearing. But the evidence shows only a discussion draft and committee activity, not enacted legislation or an actual amendment becoming law. That is substantial same-term progress without completed delivery, so partial credit fits best.
Schmitt materially advanced the promise in office by unveiling a blueprint, joining a bipartisan draft, and helping move the college-sports proposal into Senate committee hearings. But the Sports Broadcasting Act has not been amended, so the promised outcome has not been fully delivered; this is substantial same-term progress, not completion.
Senator Schmitt has introduced and promoted legislation proposing to amend the Sports Broadcasting Act to address college sports revenue issues, including the bipartisan College Sports Competitive Act. However, the evidence only shows the introduction and advocacy for the legislation and related plans, not its passage or implementation. Therefore, the promise is partially fulfilled due to serious and visible legislative effort within the same term.
Senator Schmitt introduced, promoted, and publicized bipartisan draft legislation explicitly aimed at amending the Sports Broadcasting Act to address revenue issues in college sports. Multiple press releases and a comprehensive policy blueprint describe these legislative efforts and their intended impact. However, the available evidence only confirms introduction and advocacy, not actual passage or enactment of the amendment. Thus, the promise is partially fulfilled through significant, visible legislative effort.
Senator Schmitt has taken significant legislative action by co-introducing and publicizing a bipartisan draft bill (the College Sports Competitive Act) aimed at amending the Sports Broadcasting Act to address revenue problems in college sports. There is also evidence of public plans and advocacy for congressional solutions. However, the evidence does not confirm the passage or final enactment of the proposed amendment, so the promise can be considered partially fulfilled based on substantial and public legislative effort, but not full delivery.