Lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that would prevent the SEC and Big Ten from adding new members or merging into a signle super conference. The proposal, unveiled during the conferences' spring meetings in Florida, also offers a voluntary option for conferences to pool media rights, a move both leagues have publicly opposed.

Bill Bars SEC and Big Ten from Expanding Beyond Current Membership

The legislation explicitly prohibits the two richest college‑sports conferences from increasing their membership rosters . According to the source, this restriction responds to lobbying by the SEC and Big Ten, which sought to halt the rapid growth that has widened the financial gap with other leagues.

Super‑League Merger Prohibited by New Congressional Proposal

Beyond expansion limits, the bill also blocks any merger between the SEC and Big Ten that would create a "super league." The source notes that the measure satisfies the conferences' own requests for protection against a forced consolidation that could reshape college athletics.

Voluntary Media‑Rights Pooling Sparks Controversy

While the bill includes a provision allowing conferences to voluntarily pool their media rights, SEC and Big Ten leaders have pushed back. In a joint white paper released in February, the leagues argued that such pooling would not address the industry's financial challenges, a stance highlighted in the source.

Legislative Hurdles: Need for Seven Democratic Votes

The proposal faces a steep climb in Congress , requiring at least seven Democratic votes to meet the 60‑vote threshold for passage. The source warns that the Republican‑leaning House could present an even tougher obstacle.

Open Question: Will Other Conferences Follow the SEC‑Big Ten Model?

One unresolved issue is whether the bill's framework will be extended to other Power Five conferences or remain limited to the SEC and Big Ten. The source indicates that the legislation is part of a broader push from external forces in college sports, but the scope beyond the two targeted leagues remains unclear.