Washington, D.C., April 4 (NationPress) - U.S. President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order designed to bring back “order, fairness, and stability” to college athletics, highlighting the increasing financial and legal challenges that jeopardize its future.

This order instructs federal agencies to enhance the enforcement of rules related to transfers, eligibility, and compensation. It includes assessing whether breaches could lead to universities losing eligibility for federal grants and contracts, as outlined in a fact sheet released by the White House.

Additionally, the order advocates for updated national standards to stabilize the landscape of college sports. These standards will entail “clear, consistent, and fair eligibility limits,” structured transfer guidelines, and a five-year window for student-athletes to participate.

The administration is also promoting initiatives to “ensure medical care for student-athletes,” regulate revenue-sharing, and “prohibit improper financial practices, such as pay-for-play agreements” that are facilitated by collectives and similar organizations.

Among various directives, the executive order mandates the General Services Administration and the Department of Education to broaden data collection across college sports to enhance compliance. The Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General are assigned to take necessary enforcement actions.

This action arises amid increasing apprehension in Washington regarding a “financial arms race” in college athletics, driven by lawsuits and changes to compensation rules at the state level.

According to the White House, “College sports cannot function without clear, agreed-upon rules regarding pay-for-play and player eligibility that cannot be continually contested in court.”

Officials assert that the current framework risks diverting resources towards major revenue-generating sports like football and basketball, thereby undermining smaller programs, especially women’s and Olympic sports.

The order emphasizes that “the ensuing chaos is generating financial strains that threaten to siphon resources away from all sports except football and basketball, and from numerous universities entirely.”

It also underscores the broader economic and social significance of college athletics, which supports over 500,000 student-athletes and awards nearly $4 billion in scholarships each year.

The White House stated, “College sports is a distinctly American institution that cultivates remarkable athletes and leaders, contributes to our Olympic prowess, and is an integral part of American culture and communities.”

The directive urges Congress to take prompt action, emphasizing that “further delay is not an option given what is at stake and the turmoil and instability currently confronting universities nationwide.”