On July 25, 2025, a significant development emerged in the ongoing discussions surrounding college athletics. The administration announced an executive order aimed at addressing the pressing issues related to athlete compensation, aptly named Saving College Sports.
This announcement followed closely on the heels of legislative advancements by House Republicans, who have been actively exploring solutions to the challenges facing college sports.
The executive order emphasizes the urgent need for a national framework to safeguard the future of college athletics, stating, “The future of college sports is under unprecedented threat.” It highlights the importance of protecting non-revenue sports, particularly women’s athletics, which play a crucial role in the intercollegiate sports landscape and contribute to America’s success on the global stage.
Since the NCAA allowed student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness in 2021, the landscape of college sports has transformed dramatically, often described as the ‘wild west’ of athletics. This shift has raised concerns among lawmakers about the potential for wealthier institutions to dominate the recruitment of top talent.
A recent legal settlement has further complicated matters by granting colleges the authority to pay their athletes directly. This has intensified fears that the financial disparities between popular sports, such as men’s football and basketball, could adversely affect women’s sports and Olympic disciplines.
In response, the executive order directs colleges to maintain and expand scholarship opportunities for non-revenue sports and to maximize roster sizes in accordance with NCAA regulations. This initiative aims to prevent the monopolization of college athletics by wealthier programs.
Additionally, the order prohibits third-party compensation arrangements that have become prevalent among affluent institutions and their supporters. It mandates that any revenue-sharing agreements between universities and student-athletes must prioritize the protection of women’s and non-revenue sports.
Despite the ambitious goals of the executive order, some experts in sports law express skepticism about its potential effectiveness, suggesting it may lead to new legal challenges rather than resolve existing issues.
Nonetheless, Representative Tim Walberg, a Republican from Michigan and chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, expressed gratitude for the president’s commitment to enhancing the college sports environment and supporting student-athletes.
“The SCORE Act, spearheaded by our committees, will work in tandem with the President’s executive order,” Walberg stated. “We are eager to collaborate with our colleagues in Congress to foster a more robust and sustainable college sports framework.”