​Sun Belt Media Days kicked off from New Orleans, LA on Wednesday, July 15.Commissioner Keith Gill took to the podium Wednesday to discuss hot topics in the Sun Belt, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a conference. Topics included the addition of Louisiana Tech, the Protect College Sports Act, and College Football Playoff expansion and exposure. Here’s what Gill had to say:After four seasons operating as a stable 14-team league, the Sun Belt underwent membership change on July 1. The league lost Texas State to the Pac-12 but added Louisiana Tech from Conference USA. Gill offered a welcome statement to the newest Sun Belt program which resides in Ruston, LA.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Louisiana Tech is an ideal fit for our conference, bringing a strong record of competitive success and a geographic fit that strengths our football,” Gill said. “With 38 years in FBS, LA Tech ranks third amongst Sun Belt programs in FBS experience. Its 654 all-time football victories and total all-time bowl appearances both rank second in our conference.”While many realignment decisions put geographic convenience on the backburner, Louisiana Tech fits naturally in the conference. The Bulldogs will become the third Louisiana-based team in the league, allowing them to rekindle rivalries with in-state schools as well as develop close relationships with other nearby institutions.“In every way, LA Tech reflects the qualities that make the conference strong — competitive excellence, passionate fanbases, regional rivalries, and meaningful connections among likeminded institutions,” Gill said. “Their addition renews rivalries with ULM and Louisiana and creates compelling matchups with Southern Miss and Arkansas State. It improves travel and gives fans more games that matter.”Gill spoke at length about the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Texas senator Ted Cruz and Washington senator Maria Cantwell. The bill already passed through the Senate Commerce Committee and now resides on the Senate floor, needing 60 votes to pass.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementComponents of the bill include new requirements for name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, a one-time transfer policy without the loss of athletic eligibility, the creation of a five-year eligibility standard, a restriction for head coaches from accepting other positions during a season, and the establishment of a limited antitrust exemption for schools or conferences to consolidate their media rights at the agreement of 75 percent of FBS institutions (equating to 104 of 138).Gill expressed his general support for the bill but stated it is far from perfect.“The bill’s not perfect, but the Sun Belt supports its approach to transfers and eligibility,” Gill said. “It would be meaningful improvement over the current state of affairs. Still, I must note, the legislation could be improved if it was modified to treat every conference the same, mor