Trump Issues Executive Order to Limit Athlete Transfers and Eligibility in Push to "Save College Sports"
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, April 3, 2026, directing federal agencies and the NCAA to implement stricter rules on athlete eligibility, transfers, and compensation in an effort to bring "order, fairness, and stability" to college sports. Titled "Urgent National Action to Save College Sports," the order is the second Trump has issued on the topic, following one in July 2025. It comes amid ongoing debates over name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal, and the financial pressures facing athletic departments, including a major $2.8 billion settlement that has reshaped compensation for student-athletes. Key provisions in the order include: Eligibility Limits: Directing the NCAA to establish a clear five-year participation window for college athletes, limiting them to no more than five years of competition. Transfer Rules: Allowing athletes to transfer schools only once as undergraduates without sitting out a season, with ...