Urgent National Action to Save College Sports
Second order on college sports, escalating federal engagement on NIL regulation and athlete compensation issues.
Section by Section
What each section does, and how they differ.
Establishes that college sports provide educational opportunities to millions but face crisis from judicial rulings and state legislation loosening eligibility and compensation rules, threatening financial stability of universities that serve as federal research contractors.
Establishes that core provisions become operative on August 1, 2026, with agencies to begin preparation immediately.
Defines improper financial activities, fraudulent NIL schemes, higher education institution, and interstate intercollegiate athletic governing body for purposes of the order.
Directs federal contractors to evaluate violations of athletic governing body rules regarding eligibility, transfers, revenue-sharing, and financial activities as factors affecting contractor responsibility; directs athletic governing body to establish eligibility limits and other protective measures.
Directs Attorney General to challenge state laws that conflict with athletic governing body rules and violate interstate commerce protections or impair contractual relationships.
Encourages relevant agencies to consider input from collegiate athletics leaders and experts in implementing the order.
Standard severability clause: if a court strikes any provision, the rest of the order stands.
Standard boilerplate: preserves existing agency authority, conditions the order on appropriations, and creates no enforceable private rights.