President Trump Issues Executive Order on College Sports

On Friday, April 3, President Trump issued an Executive Order labeled as an “urgent national action to save college sports.” The Order, which takes effect on August 1, 2026, calls for various actors—such as federal agencies, the NCAA, and the United States Congress—to take actions that would impact universities, affiliated NIL collectives, and student athletes. The Order includes the following directives:

1. Congress is “strongly encouraged” to “expeditiously” pass legislation that addresses the issues facing college sports.
   
   
2. The NCAA is urged to update its rules before August 1, 2026, to (i) “adequately protect opportunities for scholarships and collegiate athletic competition in women’s and Olympic sports,” (ii) limit athletes to a five-year eligibility window, (iii) permit only a single transfer unless the athlete obtains a four-year degree, and (iv) prohibit professional athletes from returning to college sports.
   
   
3. Agencies that provide federal funding to universities must ensure that any recipient complies with eligibility, transfer, and revenue-sharing rules, and does not engage in “improper financial activities,” which is broadly defined to include any scheme to pay for NIL services above their fair market value, “including through the use of collectives or similar entities.”
   
   
4. The Attorney General is required to take measures to invalidate state laws that conflict with NCAA rules and violate federal law.

The Order specifically states that NCAA rule changes should be made only “to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders”—and President Trump himself has suggested that he anticipates legal challenges to some of the directives.

O’Melveny continues to advise and counsel universities and affiliated NIL collectives through the ever-evolving college sports landscape. Please do not hesitate to reach out for support or to discuss these issues.

This memorandum is a summary for general information and discussion only and may be considered an advertisement for certain purposes. It is not a full analysis of the matters presented, may not be relied upon as legal advice, and does not purport to represent the views of our clients or the Firm. Steven J. Olson, an O'Melveny partner licensed to practice law in California; David Marroso, an O'Melveny partner licensed to practice law in California; Timothy B. Heafner, an O'Melveny partner licensed to practice law in California; Ben Aronson, an O’Melveny partner licensed to practice law in New York; Matthew R. Cowan, an O’Melveny partner licensed to practice law in California; and Max Rothman, an O'Melveny counsel licensed to practice law in California, contributed to the content of this newsletter. The views expressed in this newsletter are the views of the authors except as otherwise noted.

© 2026 O’Melveny & Myers LLP. All Rights Reserved. Portions of this communication may contain attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Please direct all inquiries regarding New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct to O’Melveny & Myers LLP, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1700, New York, NY, 10019, T: +1 212 326 2000.