Donald Trump has signed a new executive order aimed at reshaping the structure of college sports in the United States, focusing on athlete eligibility, transfers, and financial compensation.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over the impact of recent rule changes that allow student-athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness.
Under the new order, the National Collegiate Athletic Association is expected to implement rules limiting athletes to a maximum of five years of participation. It also proposes restrictions on transfers, allowing players to switch schools only once without losing eligibility for a season.
The policy is scheduled to take effect from August 1, with institutions that fail to comply at risk of losing federal funding.
Trump expressed concern that the current system, which allows greater financial freedom for athletes, has led to an imbalance in college sports.
He warned that the lack of consistent regulations has created intense financial competition among universities, putting pressure on school budgets.
The move comes as major college competitions, including the NCAA basketball tournaments, approach their final stages, highlighting the growing commercial value of collegiate athletics.
In addition to eligibility and transfer limits, the order calls for stricter oversight of financial arrangements involving student-athletes.
It also encourages the US Congress to introduce legislation that will provide long-term structure and clarity to the system.
This is not the first time the administration has taken action on the issue.
A previous directive sought to limit certain third-party payments to athletes in high-revenue sports such as football and basketball, with the aim of protecting funding for other programmes.
The changes follow a landmark 2021 Supreme Court ruling that allowed college athletes to begin earning income from endorsement deals, significantly altering the landscape of college sports in the United States.
Observers say the latest move could reshape the future of college athletics, as authorities attempt to balance commercial growth with fairness and sustainability.
