White House Steps In to Save Amateur College Sports from Collapse
Published Date: 7/29/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
College sports help over 500,000 student-athletes get scholarships and life skills while boosting local communities. But new rules letting players get paid and switch schools easily are shaking things up and could hurt many sports programs. This order steps in to protect college sports, keeping the fun and opportunities alive starting now, with billions in scholarships still on the line.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Big Schools Must Expand Non‑Revenue Scholarships
For the 2025-2026 athletic season and future seasons, college athletic departments that had more than $125,000,000 in revenue in 2024-2025 should provide more scholarship opportunities in non-revenue sports than they did in 2024-2025 and must provide the maximum roster spots allowed under applicable rules. Departments with more than $50,000,000 in 2024-2025 revenue must provide at least as many non-revenue sport scholarships as in 2024-2025 and the maximum permitted roster spots. Departments with $50,000,000 or less in 2024-2025 revenue (or with no revenue-generating sports) must not disproportionately cut scholarships or roster spots based on a sport's revenue.
Ban on Third‑Party Pay‑for‑Play Payments
The executive branch policy states that third-party, pay-for-play payments to collegiate athletes are improper and should not be permitted by universities. This policy does not apply to payments that represent fair market value for services like brand endorsements.
Education Department Must Make Implementation Plan
Within 30 days of July 24, 2025, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Attorney General, HHS, and the FTC Chairman, must develop a plan to advance the order's policies (including preserving and expanding women's and non-revenue sports). The plan may use regulatory, enforcement, litigation, and Federal funding decisions and may include enforcement of Title IX and other constitutional and statutory protections.
Labor Agencies to Clarify Athlete Status
The Secretary of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board are directed to determine and implement measures to clarify the status of collegiate athletes, using guidance, rules, or other actions, with the stated goal of maximizing the educational benefits and opportunities provided through athletics.
AG and FTC to Defend College Sports Legally
The Attorney General and the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission are directed to work to stabilize and preserve college athletics through litigation, guidelines, policies, or other actions. Within 60 days of July 24, 2025, they must review and, as necessary, revise litigation positions and develop a plan for future actions to protect scholarships and athletic opportunities from antitrust and other legal challenges.
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