Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 4: US President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at bringing “order, fairness, and stability” to college athletics, amid rising concerns over financial imbalance and legal uncertainty within the system.

According to details released by the White House, the directive instructs federal agencies to tighten oversight of rules related to player transfers, eligibility, and compensation. It also proposes examining whether violations of these regulations could make universities ineligible for federal funding, including grants and contracts.

The order calls for the development of updated nationwide standards designed to stabilise college sports. These include clearly defined eligibility criteria, structured transfer regulations, and a five-year participation limit for student-athletes.

In addition, the administration is advocating for improved medical care provisions for athletes, oversight of revenue-sharing models, and a ban on improper financial practices such as pay-for-play arrangements facilitated by third-party groups.

To strengthen compliance, the order directs agencies like the General Services Administration and the Department of Education to enhance data collection across college athletics. Meanwhile, enforcement responsibilities have been assigned to the Federal Trade Commission and the Office of the Attorney General.

The move comes at a time when policymakers in Washington are increasingly concerned about what they describe as a growing “financial arms race” in college sports, driven by legal challenges and varying state-level rules on athlete compensation.

Officials warn that without consistent regulations, resources could become heavily concentrated in high-revenue sports such as football and basketball, potentially harming smaller programs, including women’s and Olympic sports.

The White House emphasised that the current instability threatens not just athletic programs but also universities at large, noting that college sports support more than 500,000 student-athletes and provide billions of dollars in scholarships annually.

Describing college athletics as a vital part of American culture and a key contributor to Olympic success, the administration has urged Congress to act quickly, stressing that delays could worsen the ongoing uncertainty facing institutions nationwide.