University of Utah president responds to Trump's executive order 'to save college sports'

SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah President Taylor Randall responded to Friday's Trump administration-issued executive order "to save college sports" — calling it a "meaningful step" toward stability at a historic moment of staggering disruption.

In an executive order signed just hours before the tip-off of the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four, President Donald Trump issued his directive entitled: "Urgent National Action To Save College Sports."

The president had pledged to issue the executive order during a March 6 roundtable discussion at the White House that included Randall and dozens of other leaders from the diverse worlds of politics, business, higher education and sports.

In his Friday order, Trump referenced a "chaotic state of affairs" that he claims has undermined competition, reduced opportunities for student-athletes and jeopardized women's and Olympic sports.

"Fair competition cannot occur without a consistent set of rules concerning pay-for-play or player eligibility that cannot be endlessly relitigated in court," wrote Trump.

Included in the president's directive are provisions limiting college athlete transfers that are certain to garner broad attention among athletic programs and college sports fans. Student-athletes repeatedly jumping to other programs has dramatically changed the college sports landscape in recent years.

The executive order also notes the pressures being felt by universities to win in football and basketball.

Such expectations, wrote Trump, are coupled with court battles and state legislatures loosening rules concerning player eligibility, transfers and pay-for-play schemes that have created "an out-of-control financial arms race" driving schools into debt — while jeopardizing educational/graduation opportunities for student-athletes.

Such "financial perils", added the president, will siphon educational and research dollars from universities.

The executive order also warns that without a "comprehensive national solution," the costs exacted on colleges to succeed in wildly popular sports such as football and basketball could prompt the demise of women's and Olympic sports — "and may even jeopardize the overall financial well-being of universities."

Trump called upon Congress to "expeditiously" pass legislation addressing the issues highlighted in his executive order.

Friday's executive order can't be legally enforced without the backing of a law passed by Congress, USA Today reported.

And Congress has faced delays on legislation to regulate college sports.

"An executive order's authority must derive from an already existing statute or a constitutionally enumerated presidential power," the American Constitution Society states on its website.

But such presidential executive orders still carry legitimate weight.

They can pressure Congress to act on legislation. And universities could face federal funding cuts if they don't comply with the Trump administration, added the USA Today report.

President Taylor Randall: 'We will protect & elevate the legacy of Utah Athletics'

In his statement Friday following Trump's executive order, Randall repeated his intent for the University of Utah to take a lead role at a moment of "profound change" in college athletics.

"At the University of Utah, that meant advancing innovative solutions like Utah Brand Initiatives — an effort designed to sustain the legacy of Utah Athletics while protecting our core academic, research and health care missions."

College sports, added Randall, are at an inflection point.

The transfer portal, NIL and last year's House v. NCAA settlement "reshaped the landscape, introducing both new opportunities and significant financial and structural challenges for institutions across the country."

Now, Friday's executive order, he added, underscores key priorities discussed at last month's roundtable.

"Our focus remains clear: We will protect and elevate the legacy of Utah Athletics; support the development of our student-athletes, including those in Olympic and women's sports, so they thrive in competition, in the classroom and in life; and continue to build a financial model that ensures long-term success without compromising the mission of a leading public research university."

Trump set his sights on controversial transfer portal

One key element in Friday's "save college sports" executive order focuses on athletes transferring from one school to another.

The order directs federal agencies to evaluate rules on transferring, eligibility and "pay-for-play" — and then determine if rule violations render a school unfit for federal grants and contracts.

Trump also called for updated rules "to restore financial stability and protect the future of college sports" by establishing athlete eligibility limits — including a five-year participation window.

But college sports fans living in Utah will likely be relieved to read that the order includes a caveat: There would be "limited exceptions" to the five-year eligibility limit that includes military service and missionary service.

The executive order also seeks to limit student-athletes to a single transfer during their five-year period, "with immediate playing eligibility," and one additional transfer for a student-athlete who has claimed a bachelor's degree.

A directive to implement revenue-sharing between colleges and athletes "in a manner that preserves or expands scholarships and opportunities in women's and Olympic sports" is also included.

Trump's "save college sports" executive order provisions would go into effect on Aug. 1 — and be implemented "consistent with applicable law."

NCAA president responds to Trump's order

In response to Friday's executive order, NCAA President Charlie Baker said Trump's directives reinforce existing mandatory protections for student-athletes — including guaranteed health care coverage and mental health services.

Baker added that the executive order is a "significant" step forward:

"Stabilizing college athletics for student-athletes still requires a permanent, bipartisan federal legislative solution — so we look forward to continuing to work alongside the administration and Congress to enact targeted legislation with the support of student-athlete leaders from all three divisions."

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