Title: Trump's "Preserving College Sports" Executive Order Provides Necessary Support for American Athletes | Riley Gaines
In a groundbreaking move, President Donald Trump signed the Saving College Sports Act on July 24, 2025. This Executive Order aims to stabilize and protect the traditional structure of college athletics, responding to recent shifts in athlete compensation and NCAA rules.
The core focus of the Act is preserving scholarship access and participation opportunities, particularly in women’s and non-revenue sports. By mandating that colleges, especially those with large athletic revenues (exceeding $125 million), maximize scholarships and roster spots in these sports, the Act seeks to prevent cuts and promote equity.
One of the key contents of the Act is the prohibition of third-party “pay-for-play” NIL transactions. While recognizing legitimate fair-market-value compensation, such as brand endorsements, the Act aims to shield collegiate athletics from escalating financial pressures and instability caused by "arms race" tactics for top talent.
The Act also clarifies student-athlete status, directing federal agencies to determine whether student-athletes are employees. This move is designed to preserve non-revenue sports and the educational opportunities provided by college sports, allowing these programs to remain viable despite financial pressures.
To protect student-athletes’ rights and ensure long-term stability in college sports, the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission have been tasked with guarding against endless antitrust and other lawsuits that have threatened the existing college athletics model.
The Act aligns with the July 1, 2025 House v. NCAA settlement, allowing universities to pay athletes directly and governs revenue sharing, NIL compensation, and roster size limits. The Act urges institutions to implement these terms consistent with Title IX and to avoid reducing participation opportunities, particularly for walk-on and non-scholarship athletes most vulnerable to cuts.
The Act also supports Olympic and developmental athletics by mandating consultation with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. In summary, the Saving College Sports Act seeks to maintain the fundamental balance between commercializing student-athlete benefits and preserving equitable, broad-based participation opportunities in college sports.
The Act marks a significant shift in college athletics, potentially the biggest in a generation. Smaller schools are barred from slashing Olympic or women’s teams to pad football profits, while schools bringing in $50M+ can no longer gut smaller programs to fund excessive recruiting budgets.
The Act also addresses issues such as food insecurity and homelessness among student-athletes, aiming to provide a more sustainable and equitable environment for all participants. The Presidential Youth Fitness Program, which has been shelved for 13 years, has been reinstated by President Trump, aiming to build a culture of strength, endurance, and discipline among student-athletes.
President Trump has been praised for his efforts to preserve real opportunities for women in sports. In the past three years, he has done more to advance women's sports than any president in modern history. The Saving College Sports Act sets a national standard for the future of college sports, prioritizing the athletes, students, and fans over NCAA bureaucrats or corporate sponsors.
Schools that ignore the Saving College Sports EO may face real consequences, as the Trump administration has responded to organizations that have ignored federal law with consequences. The Act reins in the NIL Wild West, aiming to create a more stable and equitable environment for college sports. The Act's impact on college athletics is yet to be fully realised, but it is clear that it represents a significant step towards a fairer and more sustainable future for college sports in America.
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