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Martina Navratilova Reacts To Protect College Sports Act Passing Through US Senate

Martina Navratilova, the former World No. 1 tennis player and 18-time Grand Slam champion, has weighed in on the controversial Protect College Sports Act, which passed the U.S.

Senate in late September with overwhelming bipartisan support. In a blunt post on X (formerly Twitter), Navratilova criticized the legislation, calling it "a terrible idea" and expressing shock that senators had approved it.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, seeks to grant the NCAA and major conferences legal protections against antitrust lawsuits while imposing restrictions on player compensation and movement. Navratilova’s rare public stance on the issue comes amid growing criticism from figures like TV analyst Stephen A.

Smith and Senator Cory Booker, who have also spoken out against the bill’s potential impact on college athletes’ rights and earnings. The legislation, introduced in June, now awaits consideration by the House of Representatives following the November midterm elections, adding another layer of uncertainty to its future.

Beyond the college sports debate, Navratilova has also been vocal in supporting tennis star Coco Gauff, who faced racist abuse during her match at the 2026 China Open, praising her resilience and sportsmanship in the wake of the controversy.

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