Amid growing legal chaos and financial pressures threatening athletic programs, the future of college sports is under serious threat. That is why, in response to calls from athletes, universities, and fans across the country, President Trump took decisive action by signing an urgent Executive Order to protect college sports, an essential American institution that supports over 500,000 student-athletes, drives local economies, provides nearly $4 billion in scholarships, and fuels U.S. Olympic dominance.

The President’s Executive Order protects college sports by using federal authority to support enforcement of clear, consistent, and fair rules on eligibility, transfers, and compensation, while promoting sustainable revenue-sharing and stronger protections for student-athletes. This action establishes critical guardrails to stabilize college athletics and protect opportunities across all sports— before it’s too late.

Lawmakers and sports leaders overwhelmingly support the President’s action to restore fairness, stability, and long-term sustainability to college athletics, praising his leadership across the industry.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

Nick Saban, Former Head Football Coach, University of Alabama: “President Trump’s executive order today is a critical step towards restoring stability in college sports. I thank the President for his leadership on this important issue, as ensuring the long-term health of college athletics should be in the interest of all Americans.”

Randy Levine, President, New York Yankees: “The President was asked to show leadership in solving this seemingly unsolvable problem, and as you can see from today, he is well on his way to doing so. We thank the President for his continued leadership on such an important issue.”

Charlie Baker, President, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA): “The NCAA has modernized college sports to deliver more benefits for student-athletes, and the Executive Order reinforces many of our mandatory protections – including guaranteed health care coverage, mental health services, and scholarship protections. This action is a significant step forward, and we appreciate the Administration’s interest and attention to these issues. Stabilizing college athletics for student-athletes still requires a permanent, bipartisan federal legislative solution, so we look forward to continuing to work alongside the Administration and Congress to enact targeted legislation with the support of student-athlete leaders from all three divisions.”

Sarah Hirshland, CEO, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC): “President Trump’s executive order sends an important signal about the value of preserving and promoting investment in women’s and men’s collegiate Olympic sports in America. In order to preserve opportunities for the next generation of athletes across the great range of college sports — whose collegiate athletic experiences help shape future leaders in academia, business, science, and beyond — we must ensure sustained, meaningful investment in collegiate Olympic sports. We are grateful to the President for his continued leadership on this issue, and look forward to working with Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Congress to advance legislation that secures a strong and lasting future for collegiate athletes nationwide.”

Greg Sankey, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference (SEC): “The establishment and enforcement of consistent national standards for college athletics remains a top priority, and President Trump’s Executive Order provides important clarity to help ensure all programs operate under comparable policies. We are grateful for the President’s leadership and the continued, bipartisan engagement of members of the House and Senate on these key issues. We support House of Representatives approval of the SCORE Act and meaningful Senate consideration of similar legislation to preserve academic opportunity for student-athletes and the long-term future of college sports.”

Tony Petitti, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference: “The Big Ten Conference would like to thank President Trump for his leadership and continuing efforts to protect college athletics and joins him in urging Congress to quickly pass legislation addressing the critical issues undermining its long-term stability. Consistent with President Trump’s executive order, the bipartisan SCORE Act thoughtfully addresses name, image, and likeness for student-athletes, protecting academic and athletic opportunities provided through women’s and Olympic sports programs, and expands resources to support student-athletes on and off the field. We will continue to work with a broad coalition of college sports stakeholders and members of Congress to enact this legislation.”

Jim Phillips, Commissioner, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC): “We deeply thank President Trump and his administration’s ongoing commitment to protecting college athletics by issuing today’s Executive Order. Following the White House’s College Sports Roundtable, there continues to be significant momentum to preserve the athletic and academic opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes and we appreciate the efforts. We remain optimistic that the SCORE Act, which would provide stability to college sports, will pass the House of Representatives in the near future.”

Brett Yormark, Commissioner, Big 12 Conference: “Federal action is essential to protect the future of college athletics and on behalf of the Big 12 we appreciate President Trump’s commitment to advancing a solution. To build on this momentum and provide long-term clarity and stability, Congress must now act. The bipartisan SCORE Act offers a comprehensive framework for many of the issues facing our industry and I look forward to continue working with President Trump and Congress to enact meaningful reforms.”

Val Ackerman, Commissioner, Big East Conference: “We are grateful to the President for his interest in helping address the disruption, instability and confusion now surrounding college sports and for mobilizing key stakeholders to craft a national regulatory framework that will preserve life-changing opportunities for current and future men’s and women’s athletes across all sports and all NCAA divisions. The executive order is an important step in the quest to secure Congressional action, which will be necessary to restore national rules, minimize state interference, and reconcile the various federal laws that are colliding in the college sports sector. The Big East looks forward to remaining a constructive participant in this process as it continues to unfold.”

Tim Pernetti, Commissioner, American Conference: “We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership in addressing the challenges facing college athletics and efforts to improve the student-athlete experience. The President’s executive order is a clear, positive step toward greater structure, national standards, and long-term stability for the young people we serve and for the future of college athletics. It creates momentum for bipartisan legislation, including the SCORE Act and the modernization of the Sports Broadcasting Act. We continue to appreciate the administration’s partnership in protecting the Army-Navy Game, a cherished national tradition that honors our service academies and highlights the character and commitment of our future leaders.”

Bernadette McGlade, Commissioner, Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10): “Finally, a moment to take a breath. The Executive Order by President Trump is a welcome sign in bringing back rational guardrails related to Division I transfer decisions. Stabilizing the chaotic current transfer environment is an important action to stabilizing intercollegiate athletics. I’ve been advocating for this policy on behalf of the A-10 and applaud the action from the White House, let’s continue with more supporting action from Congress!”

Peter Mohler, President of the University of Alabama: “As a university president, I believe our foremost responsibility is to prepare students not only for their first job, but for lives of purpose, leadership, and meaningful contribution beyond our campus. That mission rests on a commitment to core values-fairness, integrity, respect, accountability, and responsibility-that must guide how we teach, learn, and compete. Yet the current platform underlying collegiate athletics is no longer aligned with these foundational principles. Systemic change is required-change that is centered on credible and enduring support of our student-athletes, academically, personally, and athletically. The University of Alabama appreciates President Trump’s sense of urgency and understanding that extensive ‘action is required before college sports are lost forever.’ We are grateful for his leadership in mobilizing attention to this important issue and look forward to working with the White House, Congress, the College Sports Commission, and the NCAA to develop a sustainable framework for collegiate athletics that allows student-athletes to obtain a degree and have access to legitimate NIL opportunities.”

Pete Bevacqua, Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics, University of Notre Dame: “We are deeply appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with so many fellow leaders to protect the student-athlete experience. Building on the momentum of the March 6th roundtable, this Executive Order is a significant move in the right direction.”

John Calipari, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, University of Arkansas: “I’ve spent my entire life focusing on the success and well-being of student athletes. Their success in both sports and academics is paramount. I have no problem with Athletes making money and I have had that stance for many years. But what we have been dealing with the last few years is harmful not only to their total success but also the longevity of College Sports as we know it. Yesterday, President Trump took bold action to preserve and protect Collegiate Athletics. I urge Congress to pass bipartisan legislation and SAVE COLLEGE SPORTS!”

Charlie Ward, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Florida A&M: “I am closely reviewing the executive order and what it could mean for student-athletes and college athletics. The transfer portal is an important part of today’s landscape, and it is in need of change.  I appreciate the President’s focus on bringing clarity and consistency and on advancing a process that leads to student-focused solutions. I welcome continued dialogue and thoughtful action from Congress.”

Jere Morehead, President, University of Georgia: “The President’s executive order is an important step forward that keeps the national spotlight on saving college sports and reinforces the need for Congress to act. I look forward to continuing work with the White House and other key stakeholders in strengthening college sports in months and years ahead.”

Jeffery Gold, President, University of Nebraska: “The University of Nebraska campuses have long supported efforts that promote fairness, clarity and opportunity for student-athletes while preserving a strong educational mission of college athletics. This is a dynamic and evolving national conversation, and we appreciate the attention to issues such as student-athlete mobility, eligibility, name, image and likeness, and the long-term sustainability of athletic programs including women’s and Olympic sports. We will continue working with our partners to ensure college athletics remains a meaningful and positive part of higher education across the University of Nebraska and across our nation.”

Taylor Randall, President, University of Utah: “Last December, we spoke about the imperative to lead through a period of profound change in college athletics. At the University of Utah, that meant advancing innovative solutions like Utah Brand Initiatives, an effort designed to sustain the legacy of Utah Athletics while protecting our core academic, research and health care missions. Since then, it has become even clearer that college sports are at an inflection point. The combined impact of NIL, the transfer portal and the House v. NCAA settlement has reshaped the landscape introducing both new opportunities and significant financial and structural challenges for institutions across the country. I was grateful to join leaders from across higher education and athletics at the White House last month to contribute Utah’s perspective to this important national conversation. That discussion made clear there is broad consensus, we must bring greater stability, clarity and sustainability to college athletics. Along those lines we welcome today’s executive order from the Trump Administration as a meaningful step in that direction. The executive order underscores key priorities that were discussed at the roundtable. Our focus remains clear: We will protect and elevate the legacy of Utah Athletics; support the development of our student-athletes, including those in Olympic and women’s sports so they thrive in competition, in the classroom and in life; and continue to build a financial model that ensures long-term success without compromising the mission of a leading public research university.”

Indiana University Athletics: “Indiana University Athletics joins the Big Ten Conference in appreciation of the White House’s commitment to the future of college sports demonstrated through President Trump’s Executive Order and call for legislative action through the SCORE act. We share a common goal of protecting and enduring the long-term viability and success of college athletics for all student-athletes of today and tomorrow.”

Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida: “Great to see @POTUS taking action to set a vision for reforming college sports. All the items in the EO are on point. Now, Congress needs to step up and codify these reforms.”

Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia: “Thank you @POTUS for taking action to ensure the continued integrity and sanctity of college athletics. I’m glad @universityofga President Morehead played a part in these steps to protect our student athletes and the sports we all cherish.”

Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana: “Thank you President @realDonaldTrump for signing an Executive Order to fix the broken college sports system. Congress now has a great framework to pass this necessary legislation. The quicker they move, the quicker we can save college sports!”

Senator Tommy Tuberville, Alabama: “Glad to see President Trump take action to fix the broken transfer portal that’s ruining college sports. I introduced the Student-Athlete Act last week. My bill would make the EO permanent. College athletes should get 5 consecutive years to play 5 seasons and 1 free transfer. After that, if you transfer, you sit out a year. It’s simple. I look forward to my bill being brought to a vote soon.”

Senator Ted Cruz, Texas: “College sports are a mess. The President has outlined a positive vision for fixing the chaos and is calling on Congress to act swiftly and solve this problem once and for all. The stakes are high. I will continue to negotiate a bipartisan deal that we can proudly put on POTUS’s desk that brings stability, restores competitive balance, and preserves women’s and non-revenue scholarship opportunities.”

Senator Eric Schmitt, Missouri: “College sports are a cornerstone of American culture and community. I commend the President for recognizing what’s at stake and I look forward to working with the Administration to protect and strengthen college athletics for the long term.”

Cody Campbell, Chairman, Board of Regents, Texas Tech University: “I’m extremely supportive of the President’s order. I’m very excited that we’re making progress and look forward to continued work in the (Congress) to permanently preserve a system that’s done so much for America.”

Hunter Yurachek, Director of Athletics, University of Arkansas: “I am encouraged by today’s Executive Order from President Trump and the positive impact it could have on the future of college athletics. Razorback Athletes and athletes across college athletics continue to benefit from life-changing academic and athletic experiences that are in jeopardy in today’s climate of college athletics. This EO is a positive initiative that could protect these opportunities and stabilize the college athletics industry for years to come.”

Clay Travis, Founder, Outkick “President Trump’s executive order on college sports is below. Three key provisions: 1. Five years of total eligibility 2. Only ‘one’ free transfer without sitting. 3. No players can return from pros. Goes into effect on 8/1. Common sense & solid.”

Riley Gaines, Host, Riley Gaines Show: “President Trump just signed an EO reining in NIL chaos. No more seven year freshmen. Fantastic news.” fully funding the Department of Homeland Security.