President Donald Trump signed an executive order limiting NCAA athletes to a five-year period with only one transfer before graduation. The order mandates the NCAA create rules taking effect August 1, with non-compliant schools risking loss of federal funding. The measure also requires a national registry for player agents and prohibits schools from cutting women's and Olympic sports scholarships to compensate athletes.

Multiple legal experts predict the order would be deemed unconstitutional if challenged in court. NCAA president Charlie Baker expressed partial alignment with the order's goals but emphasized the need for congressional action to create lasting solutions. Baker suggested Trump's order could serve as leverage for lawmakers to reach bipartisan agreement on college sports reform.

The NCAA has struggled to enforce rules since a 2021 Supreme Court decision removed antitrust protections. Trump previously attempted to influence college sports governance through executive power with limited success. Congressional efforts, including the SCORE Act in the House and bipartisan negotiations by Senators Cruz and Cantwell, have stalled amid disagreements over whether college athletes should be classified as employees.