Donald Trump Issues Executive Order Banning Pay-for-Play Payments to College Athletes

President Donald Trump’s recent action regarding college athletes has sparked considerable discussion. He has enacted an executive order that effectively bans third-party pay-for-play arrangements for collegiate athletes—those agreements that provide monetary compensation outside of standard scholarships. “The NCAA is advancing positive reform for student-athletes while tackling various obstacles within college athletics by instituting health and wellness benefits and ensuring scholarships," he stated. “However, some challenges facing college sports can be best addressed through federal legislation, and the Association is collaborating with student-athletes and educational institutions for bipartisan solutions with Congress and the Administration.” The Autonomous 5 conferences expressed gratitude for Trump’s commitment to safeguarding the future of college athletics. They emphasized that the executive order complements the bipartisan SCORE Act, which will secure long-term stability for college sports, enhancing support for student-athletes. The order forbids third-party pay-for-play payments, but exceptions exist for legitimate endorsements. Enforcement details remain unspecified, and any revenue-sharing must safeguard women's and non-revenue sports. The implications for college sports will be revealed in due course, as Trump's influence continues to resonate.