President Donald Trump is warning that the current direction of college athletics could have consequences far beyond sports, arguing the broader U.S. education system may be at risk if changes are not made quickly. The debate centers on the evolving system that allows college athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness, commonly known as NIL.
As reported by CNN, Trump said he is considering issuing an “all encompassing” executive order within a week in hopes of forcing Congress to address the issue. He also acknowledged that such an order would likely spark a major legal challenge that could send the matter back into the courts.
Trump criticized the current structure created by recent legal decisions and settlements tied to NIL compensation, arguing it has created financial strain for many schools. He said he preferred the earlier system in which athletes primarily received scholarships and financial aid rather than direct compensation tied to endorsements and deals.
Trump signals executive order as college sports debate escalates
The comments came during a White House summit in the East Room that brought together lawmakers, conference commissioners, NCAA leadership, and the CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The gathering focused on the financial and legal challenges surrounding the modern college sports landscape, with DHS funding vote fallout also occupying lawmakers elsewhere in Washington.
Notably absent from the meeting were any of the NCAA’s roughly 550,000 current college athletes. Participants at the summit discussed concerns about rising NIL costs and the long-term financial impact on athletic departments.
Several attendees pointed to the SCORE Act as a possible starting point for federal legislation. The bill has struggled to advance in the House, but House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested there may now be enough support to move it forward.
Another proposal discussed involves revising the Sports Broadcasting Act to allow college conferences to pool their television rights. Texas Tech regent Cody Campbell, who supports the idea, suggested the approach could generate billions of dollars in additional revenue for athletic programs.
Not all major conferences agree with the concept. The Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten have expressed opposition to the proposal, highlighting the broader disagreements over how college athletics should be structured moving forward.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey urged lawmakers to focus on establishing national standards rather than simply increasing revenue. He also noted that the SCORE Act includes a limited antitrust exemption for the NCAA, a provision that has drawn skepticism from some Democrats.
Senator Ted Cruz, whose committee would play a key role in advancing any Senate legislation, emphasized the urgency of addressing both the costs and revenue structures tied to college athletics. Cruz warned that delays could lead to programs disappearing and fewer scholarship opportunities for student athletes, as advice during Iran strikes surfaced from another administration official the same day.
Published: Mar 7, 2026 11:30 am