In a major policy shift for college sports, former President Donald Trump on July 24, 2025, signed an executive order titled “Saving College Sports,” aimed at regulating the burgeoning influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments. The order specifically prohibits third-party “pay-for-play” deals, while still allowing athletes to earn fair-market value for genuine endorsements.
The Trump administration framed the directive as a necessary measure to combat a “chaotic” system, where inconsistent state laws and deep-pocketed donors have transformed college recruiting into a bidding war. According to the White House, this new policy is designed to protect non-revenue and women’s sports, foster educational integrity, and uphold the traditional values of amateur competition.
New Standards and Institutional Requirements for College Sports
The executive order introduces strict new rules for schools, particularly targeting high-revenue programs. Colleges generating over $50 million in athletic revenue must maintain existing scholarship levels for non-revenue sports, while those earning over $125 million are required to expand them in the coming academic year.
Additionally, the order mandates that revenue-sharing plans—such as those under recent athlete employment models—must preserve opportunities for women’s and Olympic sports. To enforce compliance, Trump has tasked several federal agencies—including the Departments of Education, Justice, Health and Human Services, and the FTC—to draft an enforcement roadmap within 30 days.
In a notable inclusion, the order also directs the Department of Labor and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to re-evaluate the employment status of student-athletes—an issue that could dramatically reshape unionization and benefits across collegiate sports.
NIL Reactions, Implications, and the Road Ahead
The NCAA responded positively, with President Charlie Baker applauding the order’s focus on scholarships and educational balance, while cautioning that lasting change will ultimately require Congressional action. The move also echoes elements of the SCORE Act, a pending federal bill that opposes employee classification for student-athletes and provides antitrust shields for institutions.
However, legal experts have raised doubts about the enforceability of the executive order. Without Congressional backing, many of its provisions—especially those related to federal agency actions—may face delays or legal challenges. Critics also argue that the order could limit athlete freedoms, especially by cracking down on collective bargaining rights and decentralized NIL deals.
Nonetheless, the order has found support among athletic administrators and major donors who fear that unchecked NIL dynamics may erode the core of college sports. By positioning itself as a guardian of amateurism, Trump’s order seeks to rein in runaway spending, preserve equity, and encourage federal consistency in a fragmented system.
Trump’s executive order marks one of the most aggressive federal interventions in college athletics to date. As the NIL era evolves, this action attempts to impose structure, fairness, and oversight on a system critics call ungoverned. Whether it leads to genuine reform or sparks new legal battles will depend heavily on federal enforcement and legislative cooperation in the months ahead.