Senate negotiators are working to resolve thorny differences with leaders of the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences over revisions to a bill designed to regulate college sports that sponsors want a vote on before the chamber goes on summer break next week. Bill sponsor Ted Cruz of Texas says the conversations are ongoing. Cruz and co-sponsor Maria Cantwell of Washington are pushing to bring the Protect College Sports Act to a vote before Aug. 7, the last day the Senate meets before going on break. Senators return for the second half of September, before breaking for all of October -- leaving little time remaining before the November midterms.

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FILE - Ohio State guard Kennedy Cambridge (3) brings the ball downcourt past Notre Dame guard KK Bransford (14) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, March 23, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar, File)

The Big Ten would do away with its championship game if college football adopts a 24-team playoff. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti says that’s a worthwhile sacrifice to get his preferred postseason format. Pettiti mentioned this possibility back in May as he stepped up his push to expand the current 12-team playoff to 24. He made the point clear Tuesday by conceding a 24-team playoff would mean no Big Ten championship game. The bid to expand the playoff to 24 teams also has the support of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Notre Dame. The Southeastern Conference remains a holdout.

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FILE - Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker makes a touchdown catch over Wisconsin safety Austin Brown (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, file)

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FILE - Indiana defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker (95) celebrates a win over Penn State following an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, file)

Virginia and former basketball coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton have reached a settlement on her dismissal. Terms of the settlement were not made public. Agugua-Hamilton was fired on April 4, a week after she led the Cavaliers to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2000. She went 70-58, including a 29-42 mark in ACC play. Virginia became the first double-digit seed to reach the regional semifinals since 2022 and pulled off the upset of the tournament, knocking off No. 2 seed Iowa on the road in double overtime in the second round.