Trump Considers Executive Order Reforming College Athlete NIL Agreements After Saban's Warning

Former President Donald Trump is considering issuing an executive order to reform how college athletes are compensated through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, following discussions with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban and Senator Tommy Tuberville. Saban and Trump reportedly share concerns that the current NIL system has created an uneven playing field, benefiting wealthier programs and destabilizing college sports. While Saban does not advocate ending NIL altogether, he supports reforms aimed at reducing the negative impacts on recruiting and competitive balance. Legal experts caution, however, that any executive order would face significant challenges due to the complexity of overlapping federal, state, and NCAA regulations, as well as ongoing litigation and labor law questions. The details and potential effectiveness of such an executive order remain unclear, with broader issues like antitrust, labor, and Title IX also in play. The White House has not yet commented on the specifics of the proposed order.