Support for Trump’s Executive Order from College Sports Leaders
Leaders from major college sports conferences have quickly rallied behind President Donald Trump’s recent executive order. The commissioners from the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, and Big 12 jointly expressed their gratitude through a statement shared on social media.
This executive action aims to curb the influence of pay-per-play booster organizations and safeguard funding for women’s and Olympic sports. It also introduces stricter rules regarding player transfers—allowing only one transfer—and sets a potential eligibility timeline of up to five years.
During discussions, there was a clear appreciation for the federal government’s role, alongside a call for Congress to establish standardized regulations for college athletics—particularly concerning athlete compensation, employment status, and rules surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petiti highlighted, “The Big Ten Conference appreciates President Trump’s leadership and ongoing efforts to protect college athletics. We look forward to working with him to encourage Congress to swiftly pass legislation that tackles pressing issues affecting the stability of our colleges.”
He added that the bipartisan SCORE Act would thoughtfully handle topics around student-athlete NIL rights and ensure the sustainability of women’s and Olympic sports programs while enhancing support for student-athletes.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated, “Establishing consistent national standards for college athletics is crucial. President Trump’s executive order gives clarity to ensure similar policies across programs.”
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark expressed gratitude towards the President, emphasizing the need for immediate congressional action to build on the momentum generated by the executive order.
Jim Phillips, ACC Commissioner, also appreciated the administration’s commitment, noting the ongoing push to ensure opportunities for student-athletes and protect their futures through legislative efforts.
The executive order stipulates a review of violations concerning fundamental college sports rules and proposes a five-year participation period, structured transfer guidelines, and a ban on inappropriate financial arrangements.
This recent directive comes shortly after a roundtable with key sports figures discussing various topics, including the SCORE Act, which aims to provide a framework for the challenges faced by collegiate athletics. Although there was significant support, a scheduled vote in December was canceled as some Republican senators joined Democrats in opposing it.
Ultimately, the SCORE Act seeks to shield the NCAA with limited antitrust immunity regarding eligibility rules while preventing athletes from being classified as employees of their schools, among other provisions.
Lastly, there’s been a recent court settlement obligating the NCAA to pay nearly $2.8 billion to college athletes from 2016 to 2025, allowing institutions to compensate athletes directly.
