Donalds Opposes Federal Protect College Sports Act

Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds says he hates the nearly 200-page bill and has voiced opposition to Florida's U.S. senators.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Donalds Opposes Federal Protect College Sports Act

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Should college athletes be paid for their name, image and likeness?

Byron Donalds said he hates the Protect College Sports Act, a nearly 200-page federal bill that would replace state college athletics rules with a national framework. He said he has already made his opposition known to Florida's two U.S. senators, Ashley Moody and Rick Scott.

Why it matters

The bill would preempt conflicting state name, image and likeness laws, directly affecting how Florida manages compensation and eligibility for its college athletes. Donalds argued it would put Florida at a disadvantage and said athletes deserve compensation for their work.

The nearly 200-page bill was introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, Eric Schmitt and Chris Coons and drew nine cosponsors, five Democrats and four Republicans. The Senate passed it on September 28, but it must still pass the House identically and receive the president's signature to become law.

The players

Byron Donalds

Byron Donalds is a Florida politician and incoming governor who attended Florida A&M University from 1996 to 1999 before transferring to Florida State University.

Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz is a Republican U.S. senator from Texas and one of the bill's four original sponsors.

The details

Donalds made the remarks during the Florida Board of Governors Trustee Summit at Florida International University. The bill addresses name, image and likeness compensation, revenue sharing, athlete transfers and eligibility, agent regulation, medical coverage and athlete health and safety.

September 28: Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act.
January 5: Byron Donalds is scheduled to be sworn in as Florida governor.

Political Context

Donalds's objection is framed around Florida being disadvantaged by a national framework that would preempt its own name, image and likeness laws. His stance puts a state executive in direct tension with a federal Senate bill that already has bipartisan cosponsorship.

If the bill becomes law, Florida's own name, image and likeness rules would be preempted by a national framework covering compensation, transfers and eligibility. Florida college athletes and programs would then operate under federal rather than state terms.

The takeaway

The bill's fate depends on the House and the presidential signature, so the balance between federal uniformity and state control over college athlete compensation remains unsettled.