Trump: will probably do an executive order on college sports

Trump: will probably do an executive order on college sports

On July 24, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14202, titled "Saving College Sports," to address structural and financial challenges threatening the sustainability of collegiate athletics. The order emphasizes preserving non-revenue and women's sports programs while curbing third-party pay-for-play arrangements that divert resources from these programs. Key provisions include requiring athletic departments with over $125 million in revenue to increase scholarship and roster opportunities in non-revenue sports, while those with more than $50 million must maintain or expand such opportunities. Institutions with $50 million or less in revenue are directed to avoid disproportionately reducing support for non-revenue sports based on revenue generation.

The order prohibits universities from permitting third-party pay-for-play payments to athletes, except for legitimate endorsements at fair market value. It also mandates that revenue-sharing agreements between universities and athletes prioritize the preservation of non-revenue sports scholarships and opportunities. To enforce these policies, the Secretary of Education, in collaboration with multiple agencies, must develop a 30-day implementation plan, leveraging regulatory, litigation, and enforcement tools, including Title IX compliance.

Legal protections for college athletics are a central focus, with the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission tasked to review and revise litigation strategies to shield collegiate sports from antitrust challenges. The order also directs federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to safeguard the role of collegiate athletics in developing Olympic talent.

The executive order aims to counteract a fragmented landscape of state NIL laws and escalating private-donor spending in revenue-generating sports, which critics argue destabilize non-revenue programs. Implementation for the 2025–2026 athletic season requires institutions to align policies with federal directives, with further regulatory guidance expected in the coming months.