White House hands down huge executive order to NCAA, student athletes
The college football offseason has already brought several rule changes, along with powerful voices calling for even more. Now, the highest office in the United States has entered the conversation. At the center of the debate across college athletics are NIL rights and the transfer portal.
Each month, more student-athletes file injunctions to take advantage of NIL opportunities. The White House previously hosted a roundtable to address these polarizing NCAA issues. Now, President Donald Trump has taken a significant step by issuing a major executive order.
MORE: Alabama official calls for end to rich college football tradition According to multiple reports, the order by President Donald Trump aims to push for limits on eligibility and transfers. A proposal circulating on social media suggests a five-year eligibility window with one free transfer. Mar 19, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; A general view of the backboard stanchion with NCAA March Madness logos during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Under this model, any additional transfer would require a student-athlete to sit out a season—similar to the old Division I college sports rules before NIL and the transfer portal reshaped the landscape. A player like Trinidad Chambliss, for example, would not have the opportunity to play this season. Although he redshirted, recent court rulings granted him a sixth year of eligibility—something that would not happen under the proposed framework.
To be clear, the executive order does not mandate this specific plan. However, it does apply pressure on the NCAA to implement sweeping changes to its college sports current system. MORE: 9 legendary coaches who dominated Final Four weekend NCAA President Charlie Baker called the move a step forward but emphasized that Congress must pass legislation to help enforce NCAA rules.