President Donald Trump vouched for the Protect College Sports Act while attending the University of Texas versus University of Tennessee college football game on Saturday, saying he thinks House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) can ensure its success in the lower chamber.
“Mike Johnson’s fantastic. And we actually had 78 votes, if you can believe it. That’s really bipartisanship for the first time in a while,” Trump said in an interview with commentator Clay Travis.
TRUMP WANTS THE PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT PASSED. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE LEGISLATION.
The bipartisan bill, first introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), is aimed at bringing order from a federal level to the college sports landscape, regulating points such as name, image, and likeness deals, eligibility windows, transfer policies, and revenue sharing.
“I mean the alternative just is no good,” Trump said during the interview, referring to the alternative as not passing the legislation.
“You had people leaving the [National Football League] to play and, yeah, the colleges could never have afforded it, and nobody could afford it,” Trump continued. “It was going to be a terrible thing. I think we’ve done a great job in putting it together. We have to get it voted on. We’re counting on the House, and I think the House will come through.”
The legislation would bring a standardized set of federal rules governing collegiate athletics. The act would set a revenue-sharing cap at $48.8 million per school, up from $21.3 million; create a one-time transfer standard; give athletes a five-year eligibility window; and require health coverage for student athletes, among its many provisions.
Several major industry players have also thrown their weight behind the bill, including the Southeastern Conference, or SEC, which has been advertising in support of the bill during college gameday.
Presidential arrival.
Air Force One with an EPIC flyover at Neyland Stadium. pic.twitter.com/YVIGSWi24L
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 26, 2026
CNN SAYS IT WAS BARRED FROM AIR FORCE ONE POOL FOR TRUMP TENNESSEE TRIP
Trump arrived at the game in Air Force One, conducting a flyover above Neyland Stadium.
The Texas Longhorns defeated the Tennessee Volunteers at Rocky Top on Saturday, 20-17.
