Maria Cantwell, left, hold a news conference with NCAA athletes and coaches about the Protect College Sports Act on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C..

On September 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C., U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation Chairman Ted Cruz and ranking member Maria Cantwell held a news conference with NCAA athletes and coaches. The event focused on the Protect College Sports Act. Matthew Mitten argues that Congress should pass this bipartisan legislation to preserve the unique educational and commercial model of intercollegiate athletics, which currently faces numerous legal challenges across the United States collegiate sports landscape.