In a decisive move to address growing uncertainty in college sports, Trump signs bold order to protect 10M student-athletes, ushering in a new era of clarity and balance in the evolving name, image, and likeness (NIL) landscape. The executive order, signed on Thursday, tasks federal agencies with determining whether collegiate athletes can be considered employees, a hotly debated issue threatening to disrupt the foundational structure of amateur athletics.
This strategic order comes as universities, athletes, and policymakers struggle to adapt to the multibillion-dollar NIL market. With Trump signs bold order to protect 10M, the administration seeks to create national guidelines that restore order to a system critics describe as chaotic, unregulated, and increasingly professionalized.
NIL Era: A System Spiraling Out of Control
Since the NCAA’s landmark decision in July 2021 to permit athletes to benefit from NIL deals, the floodgates have opened. State laws and high-stakes sponsorships triggered bidding wars, with top athletes being lured with multimillion-dollar agreements. Some programs, largely backed by wealthy donors, have taken aggressive steps to recruit and retain players, undermining competitive balance and raising questions about the amateur status of college athletes.
The Supreme Court’s unanimous 9-0 ruling in NCAA v. Alston further weakened the NCAA’s grip, declaring that caps on education-related benefits violated antitrust law. Schools can now provide athletes with substantial financial incentives — and as of July 1, some institutions began paying players up to $20.5 million annually.
Amid this transformation, Trump signs bold order to protect 10M athletes from the growing instability. The order is not only symbolic but also operational, directing the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to assess whether student-athletes are workers under federal law.
The Executive Action: A Blueprint for Reform
Trump signs bold order to protect 10M student-athletes by emphasizing education over professionalization. While the executive order does not directly answer the employment status question, it mandates clear federal guidance that aligns with the values of higher education.
According to the order, “It is common sense that college sports are not, and should not be, professional sports.” The document warns that without intervention, college sports could collapse under financial pressure, with only a few programs benefiting while others struggle to survive.
In a system where some players can transfer schools annually to chase better deals, Trump signs bold order to protect 10M by proposing national standards that create fairness and sustainability across the collegiate sports ecosystem.
Expanding Scholarships and Preserving Non-Revenue Sports
A critical element of the order is its emphasis on non-revenue sports like wrestling, swimming, and gymnastics. These sports have historically provided thousands of scholarships and Olympic athletes, yet they now face funding cuts as revenue flows toward high-profile programs.
Trump signs bold order to protect 10M by directing efforts to preserve or expand scholarships and roster spots in these lesser-known disciplines. Title IX compliance, which ensures gender equity in collegiate athletics, is also underscored, making sure that opportunities for women athletes remain intact.
The House settlement, which permits unlimited scholarships but places caps on roster sizes, introduces complex planning for athletic departments. The Trump administration’s order seeks to protect athletes from losing access to opportunities that have changed lives for generations.
Legal and Legislative Push
Beyond clarifying employment status, Trump signs bold order to protect 10M by calling on the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to defend college athletics through litigation where needed. This proactive stance includes safeguarding eligibility rights and addressing lawsuits that threaten the operational integrity of college sports.
With Congress having failed to pass any meaningful NIL regulation, this executive action fills a growing vacuum. NCAA President Charlie Baker praised the effort, noting, “The association appreciates the Trump administration’s focus on the life-changing opportunities college sports provides.”
The nation’s largest athletic conferences echoed the sentiment, pushing for federal legislation that would establish a consistent NIL framework and provide limited antitrust protection. However, Trump signs bold order to protect 10M without depending on Congressional gridlock, signaling immediate executive leadership.
NCAA vs. Employment Status: A Legal Minefield
The core of this executive action centers on whether student-athletes are employees. The NCAA and member universities have long argued that athletes are students first and must not be classified as workers. Doing so would require universities to provide wages, benefits, and worker’s compensation, significantly increasing their liabilities.
Private institutions fall under NLRB jurisdiction, while public universities must adhere to state labor laws. Many southern states have “right to work” laws that complicate unionization, adding to the uncertainty. By launching a coordinated review, Trump signs bold order to protect 10M by aiming to resolve this pressing issue at the national level.
Olympic Pipeline and Team USA
Another standout provision ensures collaboration with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. College athletics serve as the primary feeder system for Olympic athletes, with more than 75% of Team USA athletes emerging from collegiate programs.
With Trump signs bold order to protect 10M, the administration takes action to secure that pipeline. As athletic departments face increasing budgetary constraints and reallocate funds toward revenue-sharing, Olympic sports are vulnerable. This executive order emphasizes the need to protect and enhance the nation’s competitive edge on the world stage.
Coaches, Athletes React
Reaction from within the college sports community has been cautiously optimistic. At Big Ten Conference media day, Purdue head coach Barry Odom remarked, “We’ve gotten to the point where government is involved. Obviously, there’s belief it needs to be involved. We’ll get it all worked out.”
Indeed, Trump signs bold order to protect 10M amid growing calls from coaches and administrators for structure. While many schools remain cautious about employment implications, most agree that current NIL practices are unsustainable.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Bipartisan Action
As legal and economic pressure mounts, universities and the NCAA must prepare for possible realignment of their foundational principles. Trump signs bold order to protect 10M, but it is likely just the first step. Additional regulatory measures, potential congressional action, and court rulings will further shape the collegiate sports future.
Still, this move demonstrates strong federal interest in preserving educational and athletic balance. While the debate continues, the executive order sends a clear message: preserving the spirit of college sports must not be sacrificed at the altar of unchecked commercialization.
Conclusion: Trump Signs Bold Order to Protect 10M and Preserve the Future of College Athletics
In an age of athlete empowerment and billion-dollar college sports industries, chaos has taken root. NIL, transfer rules, and legal victories have empowered athletes but fractured a once-unified system. With Trump signs bold order to protect 10M, the administration has stepped in to restore fairness, opportunity, and order.
Whether the order leads to lasting reforms will depend on the cooperation of universities, lawmakers, and athletes themselves. But one thing is certain: Trump signs bold order to protect 10M, and it could shape the future of college athletics for decades to come.