​U.S. President Donald Trump looks on while hosting a reception for the reigning Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the Rose Garden at the White House, Washington, D.C., U.S., July 23, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinBoth the Big Ten and the SEC had previously opposed the Protect College Sports Act in its current version. But the two conferences changed their mind after United States President Donald Trump got involved, and people are not happy about it.In a surprising change of opinion, both the Big Ten and SEC voted Friday evening to back the Protect College Sports Act as currently written, helping move the bill one step closer to becoming law. And it came after a controversial threat from Trump.Big Ten and SEC Previously Opposed the ActThe Protect College Sports Act is a bipartisan measure introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell that aims to create a consistent national framework for college athletics. Among its provisions, the bill regulates Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, establishes uniform transfer and eligibility rules, and grants limited antitrust protections to governing organizations.Despite supporting broader national reform, college football’s two most influential conferences had not backed the legislation.Last month, the Big Ten and SEC released a joint statement expressing support for nationwide reform while arguing that the Protect College Sports Act still left “critical issues unresolved.”“The Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference support a sustainable national framework for college sports – one with an effective transfer portal, clear eligibility standards, and protections and benefits for student-athletes. While we appreciate the leadership of Senators Cruz and Cantwell in pursuing these shared goals, we do not support the Protect College Sports Act as drafted.“The bill leaves critical issues unresolved. It does not meaningfully preempt the patchwork of state laws or provide the protections needed to make and enforce consistent rules, both essential to long-term stability in college athletics. It also shifts ongoing rulemaking to Congress, limiting the ability to adapt quickly as the landscape evolves. Rather than reducing litigation, the bill likely expands it without offering clear alternatives for dispute resolution. Finally, the bill alters the House settlement revenue sharing framework in a way that may result in fewer student-athletes receiving direct revenue share payments.“We are committed to working with Senators Cruz and Cantwell and other members of Congress to improve this legislation so that it can provide lasting stability for college athletics.”Trump Gets InvolvedAlthough the Big Ten and SEC had consistently voiced opposition to the bill, that stance changed Friday night when the conferences released a joint statement announcing their support for the legislation.“The Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Co