President Trump is reportedly contemplating an executive order to scrutinize payments made to college athletes and assess whether these arrangements have fostered an inequitable environment, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The president’s renewed interest in this issue followed a conversation with Nick Saban, the renowned former football coach of the University of Alabama, at an event in Tuscaloosa where Trump addressed graduating students.
This potential executive order would tackle the recent expansion of opportunities allowing student-athletes to profit from their athletic endeavors. Last year, the NCAA agreed to settle a class-action antitrust lawsuit accusing it and its member institutions of exploiting athletes while retaining the majority of the substantial revenues generated by college sports.
The proposed $2.8 billion settlement, currently awaiting approval, includes a revenue-sharing framework that would enable schools to compensate their athletes directly, representing a significant shift in the college sports system. Additionally, the NCAA has lifted restrictions on athletes earning income through endorsements and sponsorships, commonly referred to as “name, image, and likeness” (NIL) payments.
These developments have sparked intense competition among college programs, with wealthier teams offering increasingly lucrative deals to attract top-tier talent. As a result, prominent athletes have secured endorsement contracts worth millions of dollars.
