Trump considers executive order to regulate NIL payments

After meeting with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, President Donald Trump is considering an executive order to increase scrutiny of name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments to college athletes. Saban reportedly expressed concerns that the rapid growth of NIL money is harming the competitive balance in college sports, advocating for reforms rather than an outright ban. Trump has directed his aides to explore potential regulatory actions, citing the ballooning size of the NIL market, which is projected to exceed $1.67 billion for the 2024-25 season and could surpass $2.5 billion by 2025. Saban and other stakeholders have called for federal guidelines to create a level playing field and protect the NCAA from varying state laws and litigation. The outcome of any executive order remains uncertain, but Trump would be the most influential figure to address the issue at the federal level. The discussion highlights growing concern over the impact of unregulated NIL deals on college athletics.