Trump Signs Order on College Athlete NIL Rules

President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled 'Saving College Sports' in response to recent court rulings and ongoing changes in college athletics around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. The order directs federal agencies to clarify whether college athletes are employees or students and maintains a ban on third-party 'pay-for-play' payments while permitting fair-market-value endorsements. It requires athletic departments with significant revenues to protect and possibly expand scholarships and roster spots, particularly for women’s, non-revenue, and Olympic sports. The move has been praised by athletic directors as helpful for preserving competitive balance and opportunities in non-revenue sports. Legal experts, however, warn the order's enforceability could face challenges and lasting reforms may need legislative action. The order arrives amid NCAA and Congressional debate on the future of amateurism and athlete compensation.