In the United States, on June 3, 2026, the Senate Commerce Committee convened to discuss the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the ongoing issues in college sports, particularly concerning conference realignment. The bill includes provisions that could potentially prevent the Big Ten and SEC from further expanding by restricting their ability to acquire media rights and memberships from other conferences. This legislative move comes amid concerns that the current landscape of college athletics is unstable and that existing antitrust laws are not being adequately enforced. The Protect College Sports Act seeks to provide a framework for the NCAA and its member institutions to navigate the complexities of college sports governance, which have been exacerbated by years of antitrust violations. Critics argue that the bill does not sufficiently address the patchwork of state laws or offer the necessary protections for consistent rule enforcement. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the bill may limit the NCAA's ability to adapt to the rapidly changing environment of college athletics, as it shifts rulemaking responsibilities to Congress. Industry experts have expressed mixed opinions on the implications of the bill. While some believe it could effectively freeze expansion for the Big Ten and SEC, others argue that it does not eliminate the possibility of conference realignment altogether. The ambiguity in the bill's language regarding team additions has raised questions about how it would impact schools like Clemson and Florida State, which are often considered potential targets for expansion by larger conferences. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between maintaining competitive balance in college sports and the financial motivations driving conference realignment. As the hearing progresses, stakeholders from various conferences, including the Big Ten and SEC, are expected to provide feedback on the proposed legislation. The outcome of this discussion could have significant ramifications for the future of college sports, particularly in terms of how conferences operate and the financial dynamics that govern them. The committee's actions reflect a growing recognition of the need for a national framework to stabilize college athletics, but the effectiveness of the Protect College Sports Act in achieving this goal remains to be seen.