Can Federal Law Save College Athletics?

Congress is back in the college sports conversation. In Episode 16 of uNILateral Decisions, Mike Walsh, Joe Nickell, Sam Ehrlich, and Dominic Shelden break down the proposed Protect College Sports Act and what it could mean for the future of college athletics. From federal oversight and antitrust protections to NIL regulation, revenue sharing, transfer rules, and the growing power struggle between the NCAA, conferences, and athletes, the group examines whether this legislation solves existing problems—or creates new ones. The discussion also explores why the SEC and Big Ten may resist parts of the proposal, whether federal law can truly replace the patchwork of state NIL laws, and how collective bargaining conversations continue to shape the future of the industry. Finally, the crew gives their unilateral decision: Will the Protect College Sports Act actually pass? And if it does, would it make college athletics better?