Trump Signs Executive Order to Protect College Sports

By Addie Hovland | Texas Scorecard | July 25, 2025

Amid controversy over compensation practices for college athletes, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at securing the future of college sports.

Trump’s order prohibits “third-party, pay-for-play payments to collegiate athletes,” requires colleges to preserve or expand athletic scholarships for women’s and non-revenue sports, and gives direction to federal agencies regarding enforcement of the order.

Payments from booster collectives or similar entities that serve as unrevealed salaries or recruiting incentives are one of the most common forms of “pay-for-play.”

The practice, which arose out of a settlement in House v. NCAA allowing universities to directly compensate student-athletes, has encouraged an increase in student athlete transfers from small colleges and universities to larger ones that can afford to pay more.

This could eventually affect the availability of athletic scholarships to nearly 500,000 student-athletes due to an “out-of-control” bidding war among top players, with only a select few wealthy universities reaping the benefits.

However, Trump’s order still allows for carefully designed and implemented revenue sharing between universities and athletes, provided it does not reduce opportunities in women’s and non-revenue sports.

The order also does not hamper Name, Image, and Likeness compensation to students as long as it is for genuine, fair-market-value activity. Name, Image, and Likeness is a legal term that describes the system allowing athletes to earn money by using their personal brands for commercial purposes.

The result of athlete compensation has been mounting concern that the American college sports system—particularly non-revenue sports and programs crucial for future Olympians—could be left behind.

Earlier this year, President Trump proposed a plan to form a presidential commission to bring about reform.

Texas Tech University System Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell and former Alabama football coach Nick Saban were reportedly tapped to lead the effort.

While that commission hasn’t been formed, Campbell celebrated the White House’s Thursday announcement regarding the Saving College Sports executive order.

“Well written, topical, and very timely,” wrote Campbell on X. “This is a huge step forward in preserving a great American institution.”

Addie Hovland

Addie Hovland is a journalist for Texas Scorecard. She hails from South Dakota and is passionate about spreading truth.