President Donald Trump's executive order sells 1 thing to college sports in NCAA president's eyes

INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA President Charlie Baker is under no illusions that a recent move from the White House will solve every one of the myriad problems facing his membership. Baker is hopeful, though, that the executive order signed by President Trump on Friday can act as what it was perhaps intended to be from the beginning: A firm hand in the back of Congress to find a reasonable solution to those problems through legislative action. If the order does that, it will have managed what nothing else has, in beginning to ease the turmoil plaguing college sports through the last half-decade.

Which makes that outcome possible, but difficult to imagine. “I think part of the message from him,” Baker, referring to President Trump, said, “is, can we find a way to push this a little harder through the legislative process, and get something on the books that represents what most people are looking for at this point? Which is a much simpler eligibility process.

” Eligibility sat at the center of the executive order signed Friday. It sets a range of parameters on that issue — from barring professionals from returning to college, to setting athletes’ eligibility window at five years, to limiting those athletes to one penalty free transfer in their careers. There are other concerns discussed in a directive many, including those within the executive branch itself, expect to be challenged legally.

The order directs the NCAA, per a report from Yahoo! Sports , to “update its rules” accordingly by Aug. 1, which at least allows runway for any potential changes and does not immediately affect college sports’ day-to-day operation.