Trump threatens schools’ federal funding in new order aimed at stabilizing college sports
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| Marcus Domask #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at CHI Health Center on March 23, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska. |
President Donald Trump tried to put some teeth into his latest attempt to save college sports.
The threat of cutting funding to cash-starved schools that don't comply is real, even if the stricter rules that come out of the executive order he signed Friday could take a while to figure out.In the order signed hours before the women's Final Four tipped off one of the biggest weekends in college sports, Trump went after eligibility rules, transfers and the spiraling costs associated with an industry that now pays its players millions of dollars per year. He called on federal agencies to ensure schools are following the rules and threatened to choke off federal grants and funding — a similar approach his administration has taken to force universities around the country to alter policies involving diversity, equity and inclusion; transgender rights and even the kinds of classes they offer.
In some ways, enforcing these changes might seem likeSarah Strong, number 21 of the UConn Huskies, shoots a basket against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the third quarter of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game, played on March 29 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Elsa/Getty Images a piece of cake once college sports work it out. The NCAA, the newly formed College Athletic Commission, the four major conferences, dozens of smaller ones, and hundreds of educational institutions all have a say in this matter—one of the main reasons why Congress, which Trump instructed to act quickly, has been deadlocked on this issue for more than a year.
“I’m glad to hear the president wants Congress to pass something,” said Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, a key member of the Senate committee studying the changes, who cited the ongoing bipartisan negotiations. Trump’s order was the second on this issue since last July. It included a long list of proposed solutions, many of which lawmakers and college leaders have been pushing since the passage of a $2.8 billion settlement transformed the landscape of what were once amateur sports.
The president called for “clear, consistent, and fair eligibility limits, including a five-year participation period,” and wants to limit athletes to one transfer, with one more available after they earn a four-year bachelor’s degree.
“I fully support the president’s order,” said Cody Campbell, a Texas Tech regent and billionaire involved in policymaking. “I’m excited that we’re moving forward and look forward to continuing to work in Congress to permanently preserve a system that has given so much to America.”
At a roundtable on college sports he hosted last month, Trump said he anticipated that any order he signed would lead to litigation. Athletes have largely gained the freedom to transfer almost at will through the portal, as well as the ability to receive a salary from universities, which now pay them more than $20 million a year.
Some have also sued the NCAA over eligibility limits,U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, President Donald Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio participate in a roundtable discussion on college sports at the White House in Washington, March 6, 2026.
Nathan Howard/Reuters and their right to do so has been a key point of congressional debate.
Trump’s request to the Department of Education, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Attorney General’s office to assess whether violations of these rules disqualify a university from receiving federal grants and contracts stands out as a way to force change. Several universities across the country have modified their policies to comply with federal orders and avoid conflicts with the government over funding. However, prestigious universities like Penn State and Florida State are facing massive debt.
“Obviously, I haven’t read it, but I certainly appreciate his interest in the issue,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said of Trump’s order during the women’s Final Four in Phoenix. “And from what I saw on social media, it’s pretty clear he made it clear that we need action from Congress to finalize several of these issues, which is positive, because it is.”
The commissioners of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) issued statements thanking Trump for his intervention. Jim Phillips of the ACC said, “There continues to be significant momentum to preserve athletic and academic opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes, and we appreciate the ongoing efforts.”
Attorney Mit Winter, an expert in college sports law, noted that the order is likely to create a situation where the NCAA and universities will have to decide whether to comply with a federal court order or an executive order. “In either case, we are likely to see litigation challenging the executive order from athletes and third parties,” Winter said.
University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold said he did not want to try to predict the court’s decision.
“But it is critical that we take steps to keep college sports in line with our principles,” Gold said. “The roundtable a few weeks ago demonstrated that there is a profound sense of urgency about this.”
Associated Press
