Clemson and UNC Lobby to Alter College Sports Bill
Universities seek changes to a provision in the Protect College Sports Act that mandates a three-year independence period.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Clemson University and the University of North Carolina are lobbying lawmakers to modify Section 205 of the Protect College Sports Act. The provision would require schools to remain independent for three years if they decide to change athletic conferences.
Why it matters
Universities want to preserve their ability to strategically position their athletic departments for future success. Legislators included the clause to prevent private equity firms from establishing new super conferences.
The Protect College Sports Act passed the Senate with 77 votes and includes a requirement for schools to spend three years as an independent if they change conferences. The bill is now expected to face significant pushback in the House.
The players
Clemson University
This public research institution in South Carolina is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and is actively pursuing legal and legislative strategies regarding conference membership.
University of North Carolina
This public university located in Chapel Hill is a prominent institution currently seeking to influence federal legislative policy regarding intercollegiate athletic conference movement.
The details
Clemson and the University of North Carolina supported the bill during Senate proceedings despite concerns over the independence clause. The lobbying effort comes as universities navigate a complex landscape of media rights, including the Atlantic Coast Conference's $826 million distribution compared to the $1.47 billion and $1.11 billion generated by the Big Ten and SEC respectively.
Timeline
Clemson and Florida State filed lawsuits against the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024.
The ACC, Big Ten, and SEC reported media rights distributions for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Congress is scheduled to return from recess in November 2026.
The current Atlantic Coast Conference media rights agreement is set to expire in 2036.
Political Context
Opponents of the current bill argue that the mandatory three-year waiting period unfairly restricts the autonomy of major athletic programs. These critics contend that the legislation, which was intended to stabilize college sports, could inadvertently harm the financial competitiveness of established state universities.
These legislative efforts could determine if major university athletic programs maintain the flexibility to switch conferences for higher revenue distributions. For taxpayers, the outcome may affect the long-term financial stability and funding of public university sports programs across the country.
The takeaway
Legislative battles over conference realignment underscore the immense financial divide between major collegiate athletic conferences. Universities are increasingly leveraging both the courtroom and the halls of Congress to protect their long-term media revenue interests.
What happens next
Congress is scheduled to return from recess in November 2026, when the House of Representatives is expected to address the bill.
Further reading
Learn more about federal developments at Legislative Policy.
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