White House Halts Trump College Sports Commission Amid Senate Legislation Talks

President Donald Trump's plan to form a national commission on college sports has been paused amid ongoing Senate negotiations over federal legislation regulating college athletics, particularly concerning name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules. Key figures initially involved included former Alabama coach Nick Saban and Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell, but Saban publicly questioned the necessity of the commission, suggesting legislative action would be more effective. Senators Ted Cruz and Cory Booker are leading bipartisan efforts in Congress to reach an agreement on college sports reform, with Cruz urging delay of the commission to prioritize federal legislation. Influential conferences like the SEC and Big Ten have expressed private concerns about the commission's concepts. While the White House has not made a final decision on forming the commission, the pause appears to give lawmakers more time to negotiate legislation, with some White House officials skeptical about the commission's usefulness. The stalled commission and legislative efforts reflect ongoing debates about the future governance of college sports amid the evolving NIL landscape.