Trump Plans Executive Order on National NIL Standards for College Sports

President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order aimed at establishing national standards for name, image, and likeness (NIL) initiatives in college athletics, addressing issues such as athlete compensation, employment classification, and the preservation of Olympic sports. The draft order, titled "SAVING COLLEGE SPORTS," seeks to create uniform federal guidelines that supersede the current patchwork of state laws, potentially barring athletes from being classified as employees and directing agencies like the attorney general and Federal Trade Commission to take action. Key figures in college sports, including SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell, have engaged with Trump and Congress, expressing support for federal intervention to create sustainability and fairness in college sports. The proposed executive order follows the recent House v. NCAA settlement and the introduction of the SCORE Act, legislation aimed at protecting student-athlete NIL rights and establishing a single federal standard. While some stakeholders remain uncertain about the timeline and exact content of the executive order, there is broad acknowledgment of Trump's commitment to addressing pressing NIL concerns and supporting women's athletics and Olympic programs. The move could significantly reshape the college sports landscape by providing clearer structure and oversight to NIL activities.