Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12 back Trump’s college sports executive order

The leaders of college sports’ most powerful conferences were quickly aligned after President Donald Trump’s latest executive order.

The commissioners of the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 all released statements on social media Friday evening thanking Trump for his executive action.

Trump’s EO directs federal agencies to restrict funding to schools that violate the new, tougher rules on player transfers (limited to one) and eligibility (five-year limit), while restricting groups that promote pay-to-play and protect funding for women’s and Olympic sports.

Conferences struck a consistent tone of appreciation for federal involvement, accompanied by a renewed declaration that Congress establish national standards governing college athletics, particularly regarding athlete compensation, employment status and name, image and likeness (NIL) rules.

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Big 10 Commissioner Tony Petitti wrote, “The Big Ten Conference would like to thank President Trump for his leadership and continued efforts to protect college athletics and joins him in urging Congress to quickly enact legislation that addresses the critical issues that undermine its long-term stability.”

“In line with President Trump’s legislation, the bipartisan SCORE legislation addresses the consideration of the name, image, and likeness of student-athletes, protects the academic and athletic opportunities provided by women’s and Olympic sports programs, and expands resources to support student-athletes on and off the field.

“We will continue to work with the broader community of college sports stakeholders and members of Congress to enact this legislation.”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey wrote, “Establishing and enforcing consistent national standards for college sports remains a priority, and President Trump’s executive order provides important clarity to help ensure that all programs operate under the same policies.”

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“We appreciate the leadership of the President and the continued discussion of the members of the House and the Senate on these important issues.

“We support the House of Representatives’ passage of the SCORE Act and the Senate’s reasonable consideration of similar legislation to preserve academic opportunity for student-athletes and the long-term future of college sports.”

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark wrote, “State action is essential to protect the future of college sports, and on behalf of the Big 12, we appreciate President Trump’s commitment to advancing a solution. To build on this momentum and provide long-term clarity and stability, Congress must act now.”

“The bipartisan SCORE Act provides a comprehensive framework for many of the issues facing our industry, and I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump and Congress to enact meaningful reforms.”

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips wrote, “We greatly appreciate President Trump and his administration’s continued commitment to protecting college athletes by issuing today’s executive order. Following the White House’s college sports agenda, there continues to be significant momentum to preserve athletic and educational opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes, and we appreciate the efforts.”

“We remain hopeful that the SCORE Act, which will provide stability for college sports, will pass the House of Representatives in the near future.”

The executive order “directs State agencies to enforce the enforcement of important college sports rules on transfer, eligibility, and pay-to-play by evaluating whether violations of those rules disqualify a university from receiving federal grants and contracts.”

It also says a “five-year participation window” will be implemented, along with “systematic transfer rules” and “a ban (on) unfair financial arrangements including match-fixing agreements run by conglomerates and similar organizations.”

Trump’s order comes nearly a month after he held a roundtable discussion on several hot topics with sports pundits and officials.

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The SCORE Act was at the forefront of the round table. It was scheduled to be voted on in December, but i the vote was canceled shortly before it took place.

The White House approved the act, but three Republicans – Byron Donalds of Florida, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Chip Roy of Texas – voted with Democrats not to bring the act to the floor. Democrats strongly opposed the bill, urging House members to vote against it.

The act would give the NCAA limited antitrust immunity in hopes of protecting the NCAA from potential lawsuits over eligibility rules and would prevent athletes from becoming employees of their schools. It prevents schools from using student fees to fund NIL payments.

The president’s the July order forbids it athletes in receiving payment payments to play on third party sources. However, the order did not place restrictions on NIL payments to college athletes through third-party sources. It also requires schools to be involved in maintaining non-intrusive sports facilities.

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President Donald Trump signs an executive order as he presents the Commander-in-Chief’s Medal with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 20, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

A month before Trump’s order, a judge approved a settlement agreement between the NCAA, its most powerful conferences and lawyers representing all Division I athletes. This agreement means that the NCAA will pay approximately $2.8 billion over the next 10 years to college athletes who compete from 2016 to 2025. The agreement also allows college programs to pay athletes directly.

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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