Alaska's universities fall outside parts of an advancing college sports bill

The Senate voted 70-21 Tuesday to limit debate on a rewritten version of the Protect College Sports Act, moving it toward a final vote expected this week. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan both voted yes, their third vote in eight days to push it forward.

What it would mean for Alaska depends on a line the bill draws by division. The University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks play Division II, in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. According to the Commerce Committee's summary, the bill's requirement that schools cover athletes' medical costs applies only to Division I. Its eligibility rules reach both Division I and Division II. Its protections for name, image and likeness deals and for scholarships name no division at all.

Nothing in the bill is written specifically for Alaska.

The AFL-CIO and Sen. Chris Murphy oppose it, arguing college athletes should have collective bargaining rights instead.