• President Trump issued an executive order aiming to regulate name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals in college sports.
• The order seeks to prohibit third-party, pay-for-play payments while allowing fair-market-value compensation like endorsements.
• It also addresses scholarship opportunities for women’s and non-revenue sports and calls for clarification on the employment status of student-athletes.

President Donald Trump announced an executive order aiming to limit the name, image and likeness deals that have gone rampant in college sports in recent years. The real-world impact of the NIL order is unclear.

On Thursday, July 24, the White House posted the order — which claims the president is “saving college sports” in its title — that among other things “prohibits third-party, pay-for-play payments to collegiate athletes.” The order goes on to say that “legitimate, fair-market-value compensation” such as brand endorsements would still be permitted.

College sports has been in a state of flux since the House and Alston cases that went to the Supreme Court opened the floodgates for athletes to make money via commercials and endorsements. It did not, however, begin the era of star athletes being paid millions of dollars to play for a school: The legend of “bag men” delivering big money from boosters to prospects goes back decades. The order seems to target collectives that college programs use to organize NIL deals for their players, though, like many things in the order, the specifics are unclear.

How does Trump’s executive order change the college sports landscape? Here’s a look at what it says and, perhaps more importantly, what it doesn’t say:

Trump executive order on college sports

The order announced July 24 calls for the “preservation and, where possible, expansion of opportunities” for women’s and non-revenue sports. Most NIL money goes to football and basketball players, though some athletes in other sports have raked in million-dollar NIL deals. In February, Trump signed an executive order banning trans women from competing in women’s collegiate athletics despite NCAA President Charlie Baker testifying there are “less than 10” such athletes among 500,000 in the country.

Here’s what the order broke down for non-revenue sports:

• Athletic departments with more than $125 million in revenue should provide more scholarship opportunities for non-revenue sports than last year and should provide the maximum number of roster spots permitted under NCAA rules.
• Those with $50 million in revenue should provide at least as many scholarships for non-revenue sports as last year with the maximum number of roster spots permissible.
• Colleges with $50 million or less in athletic revenue should not disproportionately reduce scholarships or roster spots based on how much revenue the sport generates.

The order calls on the Secretary of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board “to clarify the status of student-athletes.” In a unanimous 2021 decision in House v. NCAA, the Supreme Court set the table for college athletes to be considered employees of their schools and thereby eligible for the according benefits and pay. The settlement in the case took effect July 1, opening the period for colleges to directly pay athletes for the first time through a revenue-sharing model.

The order also calls on the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission to “protect student-athletes’ rights and safeguard the long-term stability of college athletics from endless, debilitating antitrust and other legal challenges.” It also asks the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic committees to meet with White House officials to “protect the role of college athletics in developing world-class American athletes.” It’s unclear what those measures would entail.

What does Trump NIL executive order mean for college sports?

That answer is unknown, especially in light of some of Trump’s prior calls to action on the subject falling by the wayside. Trump seemed ready to form a college sports commission co-chaired by legendary former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, but there has been no word of progress since.

There is little illuminating language in the order and little indication what can actively be done to stem the tide of college athletes seeking financial compensation for their work. It’s widely agreed that college athletes should be paid, especially considering TV contracts to air their games are now worth $10 billion and coaches such as Saban can more than $11 million a year. Meanwhile, a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives on the subject of college athletics is expected to move toward a vote once Congress returns from summer recess in September. NCAA President Charlie Baker and leaders of three House committees said their focus would be on the bill.

Trump had a busy day. He visited the Federal Reserve and had a public argument with Fed Chair Jerome Powell as he seeks to fire him (something he does not have the authority to do), later signing executive orders to cancel $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding. Meanwhile, his administration is dealing with the ongoing battle over records in the Jeffrey Epstein case as the Department of Justice was issued a subpoena over the list of names attached to the convicted child sex trafficker. A DOJ official met July 24 with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s co-conspirator, at federal prison in Tallahassee.

Contributing: Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY

Texas Tech women’s softball has been nationally recognized for its aggressive approach to the transfer portal, landing numerous All-American-level players from other schools as it continues to build a dominant squad. Returning elite pitcher NiJaree Canady is another key piece to their next run at the Softball World Series. Canady’s dominance on the mound was only overshadowed by her impressive name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. She made the news for landing multiple six- and seven-figure deals as she led her Lady Red Raiders to a second-place finish in this year’s World Series.

Canady is once again in the news, this time for her athletic prowess. She was named the Big 12 Female Athlete of the Year. On the male side the award went to Heisman Award winner Travis Hunter, formerly of the Colorado Buffaloes and currently playing for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Canady was almost unhittable this year as her tech team stormed their way through the College Softball Playoffs before ultimately succumbing to their rivals, the Texas Longhorns.

Ladies and gentlemen… give it up for the 2024-25 Big 12 Athletes of the Year 👏

⭐️ NiJaree Canady | @TexasTechSB
⭐️ Travis Hunter | @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/DPdmlZhxIq

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) July 24, 2025

Along with her newest award here are some other accolades Canady racked up this

– Big 12 Pitcher of the Year

– Consensu 1st Team All-American

– Honda Sport Award winner for softball

– CSC Academic All-American Team Member of the Year

– WCWS All-Tournament Team

MORE: As Texas Tech faces NIL scrutiny, WR Reggie Virgil uses it to give back

– Big 12 Pitcher of the Year
– Consensus 1st Team All-American
– Honda Sport Award winner for softball
– CSC Academic All-American Team Member of the Year
– WCWS All-Tournament Team
– and many more… pic.twitter.com/SjFxOQIZ1a

— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) July 24, 2025

– Enjoy more Texas Tech coverage on Texas Tech On SI –

(LEX 18) — President Trump signed an executive order that prohibits third-party “pay-for-play” payments to collegiate athletes while still allowing legitimate fair market value compensation such as brand endorsements.

The executive order aims to clarify the rules around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college athletics, distinguishing between acceptable brand endorsements and problematic recruitment payments.

“Prohibits third party… pay-for-play payments… to collegiate athletes,” the order states, while noting this “does not apply to legitimate fair market value compensation… such as brand endorsements.”

The market value and brand endorsements represent the original intent of the NIL era, giving athletes the opportunity to profit from their name, image, and likeness.

What the order specifically prohibits are the collectives that have emerged nationwide, particularly in football and men’s basketball, creating a multi-million-dollar market in recruiting and the transfer portal.

This executive order aligns with guidance issued earlier this month by the College Sports Commission.

The order also specifies that revenue sharing between universities and their athletes should protect women’s and non-revenue sports.

Additionally, it directs the Secretary of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board to “clarify the status of student-athletes.”

The NCAA and Autonomy 5 conferences issued a statement in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order on college sports. Trump signed the order Thursday after previous reports said he planned to do so.

In the order, Trump called for “guardrails” on pay-for-play NIL payments and directed the National Labor Relations Board and Secretary of Labor to clarify athletes are not employees. He also called for new rules regarding scholarships based on athletics spending.

Shortly after The White House announced Trump signed the order, NCAA president Charlie Baker released a statement. He pointed out the “threats” facing college sports, but credited the administration for its work to help settle the space.

“The NCAA is making positive changes for student-athletes and confronting many challenges facing college sports by mandating health and wellness benefits and guaranteeing scholarships, but there are some threats to college sports that federal legislation can effectively address and the Association is advocating with student-athletes and their schools for a bipartisan solution with Congress and the Administration,” Baker said.

“The Association appreciates the Trump Administration’s focus on the life-changing opportunities college sports provides millions of young people and we look forward to working with student-athletes, a bipartisan coalition in Congress and the Trump Administration to enhance college sports for years to come.”

The Autonomous 5 conferences – who are playing central roles in the implementation of the House v. NCAA settlement – also addressed Trump’s decision to sign the executive order. Additionally, the SCORE Act is on track to be introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives, which add to the pushes for federal help with regard to college athletics.

“We appreciate President Trump’s commitment to protecting the future of college athletics,” the A5 conferences said in a joint statement. “This executive order builds on the momentum created by the bipartisan SCORE Act, which will provide long-term stability to college sports and expand resources to support the overall well-being of student-athletes.

“With the House settlement now in effect, student-athletes have more financial and academic support than ever before. Now, attention turns to preserving these monumental gains by passing a federal law with national standards for student-athletes’ NIL rights. We hope Congress sends federal legislation to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible.”

The executive order prohibits third-party, pay-for-play payments but “does not apply to legitimate, fair-market-value compensation that a third party provides to an athlete, such as for a brand endorsement,” according to the White House’s release. It is unknown what entity will have the authority to enforce the prohibition of third-party, pay-for-play payments included in Trump’s executive order.

Pete Nakos contributed.

Watch the ESPN+ Interview | Day With Jefferson_Adam | Photo Gallery | Media Guide | Purchase Tickets

DETROIT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) —

Inside Ford Field at Mid-American Conference Football Media Day Thursday, July 24, Eastern Michigan University football did not just show up—they stood out. Representing more than just a team, Head Coach Chris Creighton, senior offensive lineman Mickey Rewolinski (Caledonia, Wis./Union Grove), and senior defensive lineman Jefferson Adam (Ypsilanti, Mich./Washtenaw International/Hocking College/Iowa State) carried with them a mindset, a mantra, a mission: “The Climb.”

As Creighton enters his 12th season in Ypsilanti—tied for the longest-tenured coach in the MAC and the only one to beat every team in the conference—his message for 2025 is clear: this season is about more than wins and losses. It’s about the journey, and embracing every step of it.

“We’re about to embark on our camp,” Creighton said during a live interview on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Dustin Fox. “We’re going to really, really get good at playing Eastern Michigan football—with guys who now know each other and care about each other and are a good fit.”

And that journey begins with a new cast. EMU brings in 50 new players this fall, including a group of incoming freshmen and transfers.

“It’s all about building a team, bringing it together,” Creighton said. “Because it’s still playing football, right? With all the new people, you still gotta be together. You still gotta play the game of football—and you gotta do it together.”

The climb isn’t just metaphorical. Last week, as part of a longstanding tradition, the Eagles’ senior class made their way up Pikes Peak—14,115 feet above sea level—and the trip once again tested the team’s will.

“Oh, those two studs,” Creighton said, pointing to Rewolinski and Adam. “They just went up to 14,115 feet and crushed it. The guys did so good—I may have struggled a little bit more than normal because they were going so fast. But it was a great trip.”

For Creighton, the symbolism of that literal climb aligns with the evolving challenges of modern college football—namely, roster turnover, NIL, and the transfer portal.

“You may not have a kid for four or five years anymore,” he acknowledged. “But then I got something out of this year’s convention. A quote by Billy Graham—it’s up in our staff room. He says: ‘A coach will impact more lives in a year than an average person will in a lifetime.’ And that hit me differently this time. It said ‘in a year.’ Not four or five.”

That perspective shift is key for Eastern’s leadership—both on and off the field. Rewolinski, a six-year veteran who has played nearly every position along the offensive line, said the message from Creighton has remained as strong as ever.

“He brings the fire every day,” Rewolinski said. “He still loves football as much as he did six years ago when I first got here. I think he’s maybe even taken it to another level. He wants to win so badly that he makes it known to the players.”

When asked about this year’s squad, Rewolinski didn’t hesitate.

“Championship is always the hope,” he said. “From an offensive line and running back standpoint, I’d say our running back room is the best since I’ve been here. We’ve got a lot of different people who can do different things. And our O-line has a lot of experience.”

On the quarterback situation—one of the most-watched in the MAC—Creighton was optimistic, but honest.

“It’s a battle,” he said. “However, the guys aren’t fighting against each other. They help each other. Both Noah Kim (Centerville, Va./Westfield/Michigan State/Coastal Carolina) and Cameron Edge (Clayton, Del./Smyrna/Maryland) joined us in January, and now that we’re into summer, we say you’re not ‘new’ anymore. And then Jeremiah Salem’s (Germantown, Tenn./Houston) been with us all the way through—he’s certainly throwing his hat in the ring.”

As always, the journey begins with preparation. And for Eastern, that means one last team workout before camp—this time, on the sand.

“We’ll have our final summer workout tomorrow morning at Warren Dunes State Park, 6:30 a.m., on the beach and on the water,” Creighton said with a grin. “And then Tuesday, they’re checking in. Wednesday, we’re rolling.”

That climb continues into a rugged schedule that opens with a road trip to Texas State, a home game against Long Island University, and a visit to Kentucky. Then comes the gauntlet of MAC play, starting with a rivalry showdown at Central Michigan University, Sept. 27.

But for this group, the destination isn’t the focus. Creighton knows how far this team has come—and how far they still want to go.

“You’ve got to find the sweet spot,” he said. “Yes, things change. But some things aren’t ever going to change. You’ve still got to be a team to play football at a high level.”

And so the Eagles climb—step by step, rep by rep, day by day.

 

With a season full of unforgettable experiences on the horizon, EMU has made it easier than ever for fans to be part of the action. Season ticket packages are available now and offer significant savings, priority seating, exclusive gifts, and special perks.

For fans looking for the ultimate experience, the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket package includes premium chairback seating on the 50-yard line and VIP season parking—an added $90 value—for just $180. Reserved season tickets are available for $135, offering excellent sideline views, while general admission season tickets start at only $108, making it one of the most affordable family entertainment options in Southeast Michigan.

Young alumni, EMU faculty and staff, and supporters of the Pride of the Peninsula Marching Band will also find ticket packages designed just for them. The Pride of the Peninsula ticket package includes a $30 donation to the band and provides access to every home game for only $170. For alumni bringing the whole crew, the Alumni Season Value Pack delivers four reserved seats per game for just $360.

Fans can add VIP parking in the George Gervin GameAbove Center lot for just $90, giving them even more convenience on game days. Former EMU student-athletes can also purchase an E-Club Membership for $200, which includes season tickets to football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball home games.

The 2025 schedule is packed with storylines, including matchups against eight teams that reached bowl games in 2024 and five home opponents that earned postseason bids. With eleven Saturday contests and one electrifying Tuesday night showdown, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to make EMU Football part of their fall traditions.

Families, friends, and fans from across the region are invited to join the Eagles at The Factory for a season full of heart-pounding action, meaningful celebrations, and community-focused fun. Whether you’re coming for the halftime show, the themed festivities, or the hard-hitting football, EMU promises an experience that’s as rewarding as it is affordable.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669, or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office in person.