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Trump Signs Order to Set Federal Rules for College Athlete Eligibility, Transfers and NIL

College leaders frame the move as pressure on Congress to pass a national law that can hold up in court.

Overview

  • The White House order, signed Friday, limits college careers to a five‑year window and allows one immediate transfer before a sit‑out season could apply.
  • The directive targets pay‑for‑play schemes tied to name, image and likeness deals and warns that schools that defy the standards could risk federal grants and contracts.
  • Federal agencies received specific roles, with OMB and GSA to issue compliance guidance, Education to collect roster and spending data, the FTC to police agents, and DOJ to contest conflicting state laws starting August 1, 2026.
  • NCAA president Charlie Baker and commissioners from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC praised the step and urged Congress to advance the bipartisan SCORE Act for a durable national framework.
  • Legal experts told reporters they expect swift constitutional challenges, so the order may function mainly as a spur for legislation rather than a stand‑alone fix for roster churn and rising costs.