President Donald Trump is considering an executive order to address NIL payments for college athletes, following a meeting with former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban. Saban reportedly expressed concerns about the system, which he believes has damaged college sports, but did not propose eliminating it entirely.
Trump agreed with Saban’s sentiments and plans to study drafting an executive order that would direct his aides on what such an order should say. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who helped set up the meeting, hopes that it could be a step towards changing the NIL system.
An executive order from Trump could significantly impact the current landscape of college athletics, which has seen athletes gain more freedom to transfer and earn money from boosters. The NCAA’s restrictions on student-athlete income have been struck down in court several times in recent years, and a new settlement in the House could further allow schools to pay athletes directly.
It remains unclear how the NCAA, its schools, and the legal system would react to such an executive order. However, Trump’s directive on NIL payments or striking them down would likely draw attention due to his history of using executive power to influence policy decisions.
Saban has long been critical of the NIL system, calling for federal legislation to address the issue in 2022. His views on the matter have led to feuds with other coaches and athletes in the past.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/president-trump-reportedly-considering-executive-order-limiting-nil-after-meeting-with-nick-saban-012129625.html