美国参议院就大学体育运动员姓名、形象、肖像权（NIL）薪资帽立法陷入僵持状态。参议院商务委员会主席特德·克鲁兹主张新提案中的4880万美元薪资帽是真正的硬性上限，该上限由2130万美元基础薪资帽加2750万美元留用池组成。[1]克鲁兹表示："薪资帽是硬性上限。就这样。那个漏洞已经堵上。"[1]
然而，美国东南大会（SEC）和十大联盟（Big Ten）对这一措辞仍然持怀疑态度，拒绝在《保护大学体育法案》的修改条款上签署协议。[1]参议院本周四晚已休会，距离假期仅余一周，在下周五前进行投票的可能性已大幅降低。[1]
NCAA主席查理·贝克呼吁各方支持这项法案，他指出："虽然没有完美的法案，但我恳求大学体育领导者和参议员现在就支持这项法案。"[1]
Negotiations over NCAA athlete compensation rules have stalled in the Senate, with Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz asserting that a proposed $48 million salary cap for college sports would function as a hard ceiling, though leading conferences are unconvinced.[1]
The proposal consists of a $21.3 million base salary cap supplemented by a $27.5 million retention pool.[1] Cruz has declared that "The cap is a hard cap. Full stop. That loophole is closed,"[1] but the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten have declined to endorse modifications to the Protect College Sports Act, citing concerns that the legislative language lacks sufficient enforceability.[1] With the Senate adjourning Thursday evening and only a week remaining before the holiday recess, the likelihood of a floor vote has substantially diminished.[1]
NCAA President Charlie Baker has urged lawmakers to advance the legislation regardless of its imperfections, stating: "While no bill is perfect, I implore college sports leaders and Senators to support this bill now."[1]