Trump Presidential Commission aimed to Fix College Athletics focusing on NIL, Trade Portal, Athlete Jobs, Conference Re-Alignment, Media Rights

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President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to launch a Presidential Commission focused on college athletics — a move that could reshape the future of the sport at the national level.

According to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, the commission would explore major issues currently facing college sports, including NIL, the transfer portal, athlete employment, Title IX, and the chaotic landscape of conference realignment and media rights. The effort is expected to take months and involve a mix of voices from across the industry.


“Trump’s involvement, though not surprising, is a landmark moment in college athletics history — the country’s most powerful elected leader potentially shaping the future of the industry,” Dellenger wrote.

The commission is expected to include college athletics stakeholders, influential business figures tied to major programs, and possibly even a former coach or administrator. Legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban is reportedly expected to play a significant role after he and Trump met last week during the former president’s visit to Tuscaloosa for a University of Alabama graduation ceremony.

“During Trump’s visit to Tuscaloosa last week to give a graduation address at the University of Alabama, Trump and Saban met about college sports legislation — a meeting that’s now transformed into plans for this executive group to be formed,” Dellenger reported.

There’s also talk that Trump could announce the commission via executive order. The initiative could even “increase scrutiny” of how name, image, and likeness deals are handled, according to a separate report from the Wall Street Journal.


“Details of the commission are for now being kept private,” Dellenger added, “but the group is expected to feature college sports stakeholders, prominent businesspeople with deep connections to college football and, perhaps, even a former coach and administrator.”

If the plan comes to fruition, it would mark a highly unusual — and potentially far-reaching — intervention in college sports from one of the most prominent figures in American politics.

Link USA Today

MSN

 

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Attorney in $2.78 billion NIL settlement blasts Nick Saban & Trump for ‘unneeded’ meddling​

Attorneys representing athletes in the announced NCAA legal settlement of Name, Image and Likeness rules are accusing former Alabama coach Nick Saban of “unneeded self-involvement” after his reported talks with President Donald Trump.

Saban reportedly met with Trump last week in Tuscaloosa during the president’s trip to the University of Alabama to address graduates. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is mulling over issuing an executive order to address college football’s NIL payments.


Attorneys at Hagens Berman law firm said in a statement that Saban’s involvement, and talk of an executive order, was “unmerited and unhelpful.”

A pending $2.78 billion settlement with the NCAA, announced last year, resolves three antitrust lawsuits and would pay out damages to college athletes over a 10-year period.

It would also eliminate rules prohibiting schools from making direct payments to athletes, and expand compensation and benefits available to athletes. It would be one of the largest class action settlements in history.

The firm’s managing partner and co-founder, Steve Berman, the court-appointed co-lead counsel, blasted Saban’s involvement.

“While he was a coach, Saban initially opposed NIL payments to athletes, pushing to add restrictions and red tape through national legislation to add ‘some sort of control.’ During his time scrutinizing the athlete pay structure, he made tens of millions of dollars and was previously the highest-paid coach in college football,” Berman said.


“Coach Saban and Trump’s eleventh-hour talks of executive orders and other meddling are just more unneeded self-involvement. College athletes are spearheading historic changes and benefitting massively from NIL deals. They don’t need this unmerited interference from a coach only seeking to protect the system that made him tens of millions.”

The settlement is currently being reviewed by Judge Claudia A. Wilken of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

NIL began in the summer of 2021 when the NCAA allowed student athletes to begin profiting off their name, image and likeness.

The former Alabama coach, who retired in 2024, said NIL and the way it had changed players’ attitudes was one of the reasons that made him leave the game.

However, the coach’s objections have dealt with the steady escalation of payments among larger schools.

“The people who are supporting this, they really get no benefit for it,” Saban said. “I’m sure there’s going to be some instances in the future where those people don’t want to continue to support players that aren’t there. How would you feel if you gave $500,000 to your program, and it was to pay certain players, and those players all left after one year? You would say, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to continue to do this.‘”

 

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Fans Rallying for Change As U.S. Pres. Donald Trump Considers Executive Order To Tackle NIL Following Nick Saban Meeting​

A recent report from The Wall Street Journal revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump is exploring an executive order to address the growing concerns surrounding NIL deals in college sports.

This news follows a meeting with legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban, whose influence on the sport has been significant. Fans, coaches, and even lawmakers are already discussing the possibility of federal involvement in NIL, and it’s igniting enthusiasm and lively discussions across the country.

Fans Hopeful As Donald Trump Announces Potential Executive Order Aimed at NIL Regulation​

While NIL creates an avenue for student-athletes to earn money through sponsorships, endorsements, and other ventures, it has also created a lawlessness of sorts in college sports, with some programs now having a competitive edge with significant financial support.


The meeting between President Trump and Saban, which took place before their joint appearance at Alabama’s commencement ceremony last week, has become a focal point for college football fans. Saban, who retired from coaching in 2024 after a storied career at Alabama, has expressed concerns about the impact of NIL on the sport.



According to The Wall Street Journal, Saban told Trump that the influx of NIL money has created an “athlete arms race” among top programs, where schools with deeper pockets can essentially buy talent, leaving smaller programs at a disadvantage.

President Trump reportedly agreed with Saban’s concerns. Sources cited by The Journal say Trump has tasked his staff with studying the issue and drafting a potential executive order that could increase scrutiny on NIL deals.

While the specifics of the order remain unclear, the idea of federal oversight has struck a chord with fans.

The push for NIL reform isn’t limited to Trump and Saban. Lawmakers have also noticed, with figures like Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, a former college football coach, speaking out.


“Had a great conversation with President Trump last night about the importance of establishing national standards for NIL. College football is the heart and soul of America — but it’s in danger if we don’t level the playing field,” he wrote, echoing the concerns of many fans,” the post read.


Since taking office just over 100 days ago for his second term, Pres. Trump has signed more than 140 executive orders. While this news has stirred rumors of NIL reform, the details of what this potential order could entail are still unclear.

 

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U.S. Senator turns heads by wanting more control over NIL​

The gloves are off, and Senator Tommy Tuberville isn’t holding back. In a recent interview with CNN, the former Auburn football coach-turned-lawmaker doubled down on his mission to reshape college athletics—and it starts with rolling back what he sees as the chaos created by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation.



“I think the NIL is in dire need of restructuring,” Tuberville said, referencing a new college sports commission in the works, with Alabama legend Nick Saban reportedly involved. The commission, according to Tuberville, is designed to bring “order” back to the NCAA’s new financial era—where players now hold a piece of the power that used to belong solely to schools and coaches.

But let’s be clear: Tuberville isn’t just concerned with fairness—he wants control. In an earlier radio interview, Tuberville spelled out what he envisions: “Everybody would be on the same level. We’ve got to come up with some rules for the transfer portal, possibly a contract for players.” Translation? Less money, less mobility, and more regulation on the athletes

And he’s not alone. Tuberville cited conversations with Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who called NIL and the transfer portal “an absolute disaster.” But who’s it really a disaster for? Players like Livvy Dunne, Bronny James, and Shedeur Sanders raked in millions—earning what the market says they’re worth. On3 recently estimated Dunne’s NIL valuation at $3.9 million, while Sanders was close to $4.6 million.


The outcry from coaches and politicians sounds less like concern for college sports and more like panic over a shift in power dynamics. Tuberville’s push to restrict freedom and earning potential paints a clear picture: they want amateurism for the players and professionalism for everyone else.

The danger? If this commission is formed without athlete representation, it won’t be reform—it’ll be regression.

Fans of college sports need to stay loud. NIL isn’t the problem—it’s progress. And if Tuberville gets his way, the clock might just be turned back on the student-athletes who’ve finally started to win.

Link Athlon Sports

MSN

 

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NCAA president opens the door for Trump to weigh in on NIL rules​

The head of the National Collegiate Athletic Association is welcoming the possibility of Donald Trump and the executive branch weighing in on the name, image and likeness rules for college athletes.

Last week, I wrote about former college football coach Nick Saban’s meeting with Trump, in which he’s said to have urged Trump to take executive action to control the system that currently allows college athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness (NIL). Saban has previously suggested today’s college athletes are too entitled, and he’s found an ally in Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who’s also a former college football coach who has complained about the current system. It’s a pairing that raises doubts that any solution they propose will favor players rather than the colleges that rely on their labor. More recent news reports indicate that Trump is considering naming Saban and a billionaire Texas Tech booster to a commission on college athletics that could include NIL rules.

During a gathering on Monday, NCAA President Charlie Baker expressed openness to government involvement. According to The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C.:

‘I think the fact that there’s an interest on the executive side on this, I think it speaks to the fact that everybody is paying a lot of attention right now to what’s going on in college sports,’ said Baker, a former Republican governor of Massachusetts. ‘There is a lot going on, that’s not all bad, and I’m up for anything that helps us get somewhere.’

On whether Trump or his commission’s involvement would bring about the NIL legislation that some NCAA officials have been seeking for years, Baker said, “I don’t have a crystal ball on that one, I don’t know." He added, “We do need some help at some point to create some clarity out of some of these issues in Washington. Creating clarity one lawsuit at a time is just a really bad way to try to move forward.”


So it looks like the NCAA is taking a different approach to Trump’s potential meddling in their institution. Where some organizations, like a handful of law firms, have resisted Trump’s edicts that attempt to dictate how they operate, the NCAA is “up for anything.”

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com

 

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West Virginia Football Coach Offers To Join Potential Trump NIL Commission​

Ever since President Donald Trump announced his intent to form a presidential commission on college sports, the consensus has tried to figure out what that would actually entail.

As Yahoo! Sports insider Ross Dellenger has reported on the endeavor, the commission is expected to examine player movement in the transfer portal, NIL, and revenue sharing, among several other facets.


The commission is expected to have Nick Saban in a key role—though he isn't entirely sure what he'd be co-chairing.

Saban's inclusion at least makes sense, given his impact on the sport and the fact that he's no longer a player in college football.

The same can't be said for West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Rich Rodriguez, who recently expressed interest in joining the commission.

Rich Rodriguez Pitches Role on Presidential NIL Commission With Nick Saban​

Rodriguez recently did a radio interview on Sirius XM, where Nick Kosko with On3 Sports reports he shared his desire to team up with who he called the greatest college football coach of all time in this unknown endeavor.

“I will give him my cell number,” Rodriguez said. “If they want an active coach to be on a deal, I’ll be on that sucker. And you know, I’ve got some experience. I could help from a current standpoint. I don’t know if they need me, though, but having Coach Saban on there … he doesn’t have an interest to help his team or whatever … He’s truly about college football."


According to Rodriguez, someone who has spoken of the importance of culture in the age of NIL and the transfer portal, the state of the sport is one he doesn't see a pathway to screw up.

“And college football is such a great entity, it’s hard to screw it up, you know?" Rodriguez continued. "I mean, you can do whatever you want; it’s still going to be that passion for your school and for that level of athletes. So we’ve done enough things to screw it up in the last couple of years. I think we’re … going to start trending the other way and get it right, and Coach will help that for sure.”

Rodriguez is likely correct in stating that fan passion and interest will never completely disappear, even if the sport is in disarray.

He accurately assesses that sufficient actions, or the absence of them, have led to the current state of college football.

However, would it be a good idea to include active coaches on this vague commission, the purpose of which Saban is still uncertain about?


There's no way to guarantee the opinions of active coaches would be without bias, resentment, or hurt feelings on player movement or players being paid, and that those views wouldn't taint their opinions on a commission.

The first point of order has to be a clear definition of this presidential commission on college sports. That would illuminate whether it's even remotely appropriate to discuss a panel with current leaders in the sport.

 

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West Virginia Football Coach Offers To Join Potential Trump NIL Commission​

Ever since President Donald Trump announced his intent to form a presidential commission on college sports, the consensus has tried to figure out what that would actually entail.

As Yahoo! Sports insider Ross Dellenger has reported on the endeavor, the commission is expected to examine player movement in the transfer portal, NIL, and revenue sharing, among several other facets.


The commission is expected to have Nick Saban in a key role—though he isn't entirely sure what he'd be co-chairing.

Saban's inclusion at least makes sense, given his impact on the sport and the fact that he's no longer a player in college football.

The same can't be said for West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Rich Rodriguez, who recently expressed interest in joining the commission.

Rich Rodriguez Pitches Role on Presidential NIL Commission With Nick Saban​

Rodriguez recently did a radio interview on Sirius XM, where Nick Kosko with On3 Sports reports he shared his desire to team up with who he called the greatest college football coach of all time in this unknown endeavor.

“I will give him my cell number,” Rodriguez said. “If they want an active coach to be on a deal, I’ll be on that sucker. And you know, I’ve got some experience. I could help from a current standpoint. I don’t know if they need me, though, but having Coach Saban on there … he doesn’t have an interest to help his team or whatever … He’s truly about college football."


According to Rodriguez, someone who has spoken of the importance of culture in the age of NIL and the transfer portal, the state of the sport is one he doesn't see a pathway to screw up.

“And college football is such a great entity, it’s hard to screw it up, you know?" Rodriguez continued. "I mean, you can do whatever you want; it’s still going to be that passion for your school and for that level of athletes. So we’ve done enough things to screw it up in the last couple of years. I think we’re … going to start trending the other way and get it right, and Coach will help that for sure.”

Rodriguez is likely correct in stating that fan passion and interest will never completely disappear, even if the sport is in disarray.

He accurately assesses that sufficient actions, or the absence of them, have led to the current state of college football.

However, would it be a good idea to include active coaches on this vague commission, the purpose of which Saban is still uncertain about?


There's no way to guarantee the opinions of active coaches would be without bias, resentment, or hurt feelings on player movement or players being paid, and that those views wouldn't taint their opinions on a commission.

The first point of order has to be a clear definition of this presidential commission on college sports. That would illuminate whether it's even remotely appropriate to discuss a panel with current leaders in the sport.

Rich Rod wants to join because he thinks he'll get a cut

 

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Nick Saban doubles down on questioning need for President Donald Trump’s college sports commission​

Nick Saban has already met in-person with fellow presidential commission co-chair Cody Campbell, the billionaire Texas Tech booster, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger. Nevertheless, the former Alabama head coach and current ESPN College GameDay analyst still isn’t exactly sold on the need for President Donald Trump‘s planned commission on college sports.


“I know there’s been a lot of stuff out there about some commission or whatever. I don’t think we need a commission. I’ve said that before,” Saban said Tuesday ahead of his annual Nick’s Kids golf tournament in Birmingham, according to CBS Sports’ Mike Rodak. “I think we need — we know what the issues are, we just have to have people who are willing to move those and solve those and create some solutions for some of those issues. I’m all for being a consultant to anybody who would think that my experience would be beneficial to helping create some of those solutions.

“I know President Trump is very interested in athletics. He’s very interested in college athletics,” Saban continued, per Rodak. “He’s very interested in maintaining the idea that people go to college to create value for the future in terms of how they develop as people, students, graduation rate as well as having a balanced, competitive playing field. If I can be a consultant to anyone who might be able to help the future of college athletics, I would be more than happy to do that.”


Saban has been tabbed by Trump to headline his presidential commission that is expected to “deeply examine the unwieldy landscape of college sports, including the frequency of player movement in the transfer portal, the unregulated booster compensation paid to athletes, the debate of college athlete employment, the application of Title IX to school revenue-share payments and, even, conference membership makeup and conference television contracts,” according to Yahoo! Sports.

While the makeup of the commission is still developing, White House leaders have already begun “pooling recommendations” from those within the Power Four conferences, NCAA and athlete-focused groups for potential committee membership,according to Dellenger. The working group is expected to limited to 10 or fewer members, with “a goal of political and cultural diversity,” per Dellenger.

Nick Saban ‘not sure we really need’ President Donald Trump’s commission on college sports​

Of course, this isn’t the first time Saban has called Trump’s presidential commission into question, raising doubt during a recent appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show.

“First of all, I don’t know a lot about the commission. Secondly, I’m not sure we really need a commission,” Saban said last week on the SEC Network. “I think that a lot of people know exactly what the issues are in college football and exactly what we need to do to fix them. The key to the drill is getting people together so we can move it forward.

“I’m not opposed to players making money, I don’t want anybody to think that. I just think the system that we (are using), the way it’s going right now is not sustainable, and probably not in the best interest of the student-athletes across the board or the game itself,” Saban continued. “I think we need to protect the brand, and the competitive advantages and disadvantages that are being created right now, and I think we can fix all that. But I think we know how to do it, and not just me but a lot of people, we just have to get everybody together to do it.”