The SEC and Big Ten have agreed to support the proposed “Protect College Sports Act” after intensive negotiations involving senators, the White House and college-sport conferences. The agreement is significant because it could help build the support needed for federal legislation intended to address the rapidly changing rules governing college athletics.

Negotiators were working under a tight deadline before senators could bring the bill to the floor for a vote. The talks reportedly continued late into the process as participants sought a version of the legislation that the major conferences and political stakeholders could all back.