President Donald Trump has signed an executive order titled “Saving College Sports,” aimed at tackling the ongoing challenges facing college athletics, particularly around athlete compensation and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
The Future of College Sports at Risk, According to Trump
In a statement, President Trump said the order was necessary because “the future of college sports is under unprecedented threat.” He cited recent lawsuits, the growing transfer portal, and “pay-for-play” recruiting tactics as destabilizing forces in college athletics.
The order attempts to bring more regulation and structure to how college athletes can profit from their NIL, especially concerning deals from third-party groups known as collectives.
Key Provisions: Fair Market Value and Scholarship Protections
The executive order restricts NIL deals from outside collectives unless they represent “fair market value.” This means athletes can be paid for legitimate endorsements or services but not simply for attending university events or other nominal appearances.
Additionally, the order requires colleges to maintain a minimum number of scholarships for non-revenue sports, including women’s athletics, aiming to protect opportunities beyond the most profitable football and basketball programs.
A Response to Legal Changes
This order closely mirrors parts of the 2024 settlement in House v. NCAA, a landmark case that allowed schools to pay athletes directly for the first time. The settlement also created the College Sports Commission to oversee NIL payments, but clear rules have yet to be established.
Oregon football coach Dan Lanning acknowledged the complexity: “What happened is, it just got let out of the tube and now people are trying to figure out how to fix it, and it’s tough to fix.”
Mixed Reactions from College Sports Community
Many college sports leaders, including ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, support Trump’s efforts. They oppose classifying student-athletes as employees or unionizing, arguing that would jeopardize the ability to field diverse athletic programs.
Alabama’s athletic director Greg Byrne praised the executive order on social media: “We are proud of our broad-based athletics programs and strongly support future regulatory and congressional action that will preserve these opportunities for student-athletes.”
On the other hand, Steve Berman, attorney for the plaintiffs in the House v. NCAA case, criticized the order sharply. “College athletes don’t need Trump’s help,” he said. “For Trump to want to put his foot on their deal-making abilities is unwarranted.”
What’s Next?
The order directs cabinet members, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, to develop enforcement plans within 30 days. However, details on enforcement and consequences for noncompliance remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Congress is considering the SCORE Act, which would create federal standards for NIL payments and athlete compensation, possibly overriding existing state laws.
NCAA President Charlie Baker welcomed the focus on college sports but called for a unified federal approach: “We look forward to working with student-athletes, a bipartisan coalition in Congress, and the Trump Administration to enhance college sports for years to come.”
In short, President Trump’s executive order signals a continued national debate over the future of college sports, aiming to balance athlete opportunities with preserving the traditional college athletics model. How the plan will play out remains to be seen, as legal and legislative battles continue.
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