Trump’s Executive Order on College Sports: An Overview

President Donald Trump has introduced a significant executive order titled “Saving College Sports,” which aims to regulate the business aspects of college athletics. This order has sparked considerable discussion among sports professionals, including renowned sports agent Leigh Steinberg. The order seeks to address issues within college sports, particularly focusing on recruiting practices and financial transactions involving college athletes.

Regulating College Sports Finances

The executive order introduces restrictions on payments to college athletes, aiming to curb the influence of third-party entities in recruiting. Previously, athletes could only earn money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. However, a recent Supreme Court settlement allowed universities to directly compensate athletes via revenue sharing. Trump’s order now limits athletes from accepting payments from external sources for playing at specific schools. Steinberg supports this move, emphasizing the need for fair recruiting practices by restricting “collectives” that financially influence athlete decisions.

Preserving Resources for Women’s Sports

A notable aspect of the executive order is its focus on safeguarding resources for women’s sports and other less profitable college sports. Steinberg highlights the importance of maintaining scholarships and opportunities for athletes in these areas. The order mandates that athletic departments must not cut scholarships based on revenue size, ensuring a broader range of sports are protected beyond just football and men’s basketball.

Future Framework and Implementation

The executive order outlines general objectives and grants the Trump administration 30 days to develop a detailed framework for implementation. Steinberg stresses the importance of clearly defining what third parties can contribute to recruiting processes without hindering other funding sources or the NIL market. He also advocates for establishing guidelines on acceptable deals based on player branding and marketing.

Call for Further Regulation in College Sports

Steinberg suggests additional measures such as implementing a salary cap in college football and men’s basketball to further regulate the financial landscape of college sports. These steps are seen as essential to maintaining fairness and providing educational opportunities across a wider array of sports disciplines.