**New Executive Order Limits Pay-to-Play for College Athletes**
President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order aimed at establishing new restrictions on payments to college athletes. Signed on Thursday, the order specifically prohibits athletes from receiving pay-to-play payments from third-party sources. However, it does not place any limitations on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments from these sources.
Following the recent House v. NCAA settlement, colleges and universities are now permitted to pay their athletes directly. This change has sparked concerns regarding the potential impact on resources available for women’s sports and non-revenue men’s sports, as universities compete for top talent in football and men’s basketball.
The executive order emphasizes the need for schools to ensure that resources for non-revenue sports are preserved. It states, “The Order provides that any revenue-sharing permitted between universities and collegiate athletes should be implemented in a manner that protects women’s and non-revenue sports.” Furthermore, it mandates the preservation and, where feasible, the expansion of scholarship opportunities and competitive avenues for women’s and non-revenue sports.
While the initial announcement did not outline specific guidelines for accounting for these sports, the order designates several key officials, including the U.S. attorney general and the secretary of labor, to oversee the protection of student-athlete rights.
In summary, this executive order seeks to balance the financial dynamics of college athletics while safeguarding opportunities for all athletes, particularly in less lucrative sports.
**FAQ**
**What does the new executive order mean for college athletes?**
The order restricts pay-to-play payments from third-party sources but allows NIL payments, ensuring that resources for women’s and non-revenue sports are preserved and potentially expanded.