Listen to Fox News Articles Now!
In a groundbreaking move for college athletics, President Donald Trump has introduced the "Saving College Sports" executive order, drawing significant attention from veteran sports agent Leigh Steinberg. "They were responding to a need because the recruiting and transfer portal had spiraled out of control," Steinberg shared with Fox News Digital.
The NCAA logo prominently features on basketball courts across the nation. This new executive order aims to bring order to the college sports landscape by placing restrictions on payment sources for college athletes and ensuring the preservation of resources for women’s sports. The timing is crucial, as college athletes now have access to more financial opportunities than ever before.
Revolutionizing College Sports Payments
Recent legal developments, including the House v. NCAA Supreme Court ruling, have allowed universities to directly compensate college athletes through revenue sharing for the first time. Previously, athletes could only earn money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. However, Trump’s executive order prohibits athletes from accepting payments from third parties to play at specific schools.
Steinberg acknowledged the positive aspects of the executive order, noting, "He’s attempting to regulate an area that has been largely unregulated." He emphasized the importance of limiting "collectives"—the third-party organizations that have been paying athletes to attend certain institutions—to maintain fairness in recruiting.
"While schools can still propose deals to players, these must align with fair-market value," Steinberg explained. "This should help stabilize the chaotic recruiting-for-money environment."
Protecting Women’s Sports and Ensuring Fair Opportunities
Steinberg praised the executive order’s commitment to safeguarding resources for college sports beyond just football and men’s basketball, particularly for women’s sports that typically generate lower revenue. "The order includes standards based on athletic department revenues that prevent the cutting of scholarships in these sports, serving as a protective measure," he said.
"If we aim to provide educational opportunities for as many students as possible—and we believe participating in sports contributes to that—then our focus must extend beyond just college football, basketball, and women’s basketball to encompass a wider range of sports."
Next Steps for Implementation
The executive order outlines general goals and grants the Trump administration 30 days to develop a detailed framework for execution. Steinberg stresses the need for clarity regarding third-party contributions to recruiting, which is essential to prevent pay-for-play scenarios while still supporting college sports programs through booster contributions and maintaining the integrity of the NIL market.
"It’s crucial to establish clear guidelines on what collectives and external entities can do in relation to the recruiting process," Steinberg said. "Additionally, we need specific metrics and criteria to determine acceptable deals based on player branding and marketing."
Steinberg also advocates for introducing a salary cap in college football and men’s basketball to promote fairness and sustainability.
Stay updated with Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for the latest insights.
About the Author
Jackson Thompson is a seasoned sports writer for Fox News Digital, with previous experience at ESPN and Business Insider. He has covered major events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals and has interviewed sports legends such as Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz, and Roger Clemens.
