TaylorMade’s decision to sign Charlie Woods to NIL looked a lot significant when it was announced earlier this month. Now, as federal lawmakers move closer to reforming the entire college sports landscape, the consensus may look more consequential.
The College Sports Protection Act cleared a major hurdle this week after passing the Senate and advancing to the House of Representatives, bringing college athletics one step closer to predominance in years of federal sweeps. Supporters of the legislation say it will bring stability to the system through absolute player movement, realignment contributions and the rapidly evolving name, image and likeness of the market.
Charlie Woods makes his putt on the 14th hole during the first round of the 2026 Junior Players Championship.
In a 77-22 vote on Capitol Hill on Monday, Sept. 28, the year-long legislative proposal officially cleared its first slate, with eight co-sponsors, led by Mary Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).
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“The biggest part of the bill is bringing order to the chaos,” Cruz told USA TODAY Sports. “College sports is the wild west. There are no rules per se. Litigation has broken almost all the rules, and as a result, you have athletes in the transfer gates two, three, four times. You have athletes competing for seven or eight years. You have 27, 28 year olds against 17 year olds. You have players coming and playing in college sports, and in every school in the rounds losing everyone. Losing tens of millions of dollars. is, and as a result every week we see a different problem.
“We’re seeing programs cut, women’s sports being canceled. We’re seeing the Olympic Games being canceled, and if Congress doesn’t act within a few years, we’re going to see hundreds of thousands of numbers and teaching positions go away, and that’s going to be a tragedy. Because every year now we have about 500,000 college athletes in America.”
For golf, he could touch the bill.
When TaylorMade signed Woods, the son of 15-time major league champion Tiger Woods, the movement sparked how NIL expanded its opportunities beyond traditional sports revenue. Woods, who is committed to Florida State and entering his senior year of high school, is one of the most visible examples of leveraging his personal brand before he even hits the college campus.
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At the time, the agreement meant more arms sharing. It reflects the growing value of elite amateur golfers as marketing assets. While top junior players have long received free clubs, balls and apparel from manufacturers, NIL deals remain relatively rare in college golf. One Division I coach recently estimated that there are a few dozen players or manufacturers that include compensation.
The College Sports Protection Act does not want to take away opportunities like Wood’s partnership with TaylorMade. Athletes would still be free to pursue contracts and marketing relationships outside of endorsements. But the legislation aims to establish a national framework for collegiate athletics while providing additional revenue-sharing opportunities for schools, a move supporters believe will reduce uncertainty for athletes and athletic departments alike.
The bill also includes provisions to protect the Olympic and non-taxable sports, a category that includes golf. Advocates argue that without federal intervention, schools facing financial pressure could be forced to cut back on tuition, cut roster spots or eliminate athletes. The legislation would allow schools to direct revenue-sharing funds to women’s and Olympic sports, a measure supporters say could preserve opportunities for future golfers.
This applies to players such as Woods and the young generation’s elite. As the NIL made changes to rehab and athlete compensation, concerns grew about whether minor sports might lose ground while the school provided facilities for football and men’s basketball. Supporters of the legislation argue that a more structured system could help preserve funding and educational opportunities across all sports.
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The proposal still faces a vote in the House before President Donald Trump arrives in office, but its progress is another sign that NIL is entering a new era.
This article first appeared in Golfweek: How the Protector of College Sports Act might affect Charlie Woods and college golf