In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorney Cal Stein breaks down President Trump’s “Saving College Sports” executive order. Stein highlights the order’s push for new name, image, and likeness (NIL) guardrails, protection and expansion of women’s and nonrevenue sports, and a crackdown on third-party pay-for-play payments. He also discusses the call for federal agencies to clarify student-athlete status, signaling possible changes ahead for college athletics governance. 

Key topics include: 

  • Overview of executive orders and their impact on college sports policy (2:10);
  • Analysis of the “Saving College Sports” executive order and its six sections (4:05);
  • The Trump administration’s focus on preserving and expanding nonrevenue and women’s sports (7:30);
  • Prohibition of third-party pay-for-play payments and implications for NIL enforcement (12:45);
  • Potential consequences for schools, including federal funding threats (17:20);
  • The call for federal guidance on student-athlete status and possible new classifications (21:00);
  • What the executive order means for the NCAA, schools, and the future of college athletics (24:15).

Transcript: Executive Order Breakdown: President Trump’s Vision for College Sports and NIL Reform (PDF)

Photo of Callan G. Stein Callan G. Stein

Cal’s broad litigation and investigation practice encompasses white collar criminal matters, corporate and commercial civil litigation, internal investigations, and health care litigation. Cal frequently represents and advises higher education clients, particularly in areas related to collegiate athletics and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

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Cal’s broad litigation and investigation practice encompasses white collar criminal matters, corporate and commercial civil litigation, internal investigations, and health care litigation. Cal frequently represents and advises higher education clients, particularly in areas related to collegiate athletics and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and compliance. Cal provides NIL compliance advice and internal investigation services to major universities, including those that participate in Division I football and basketball, and likewise advises schools on athletics contracts, conference affiliations, conference realignment, and other NCAA-related issues. Cal also represents and advises businesses on NIL contracts, as well as NIL collectives on formation and compliance matters. Cal hosts the firm’s “Highway to NIL” podcast that discusses the legal landscape and developments in the area of NIL law.

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