Statement from Autonomy 5 Conferences on President Trump’s Collegiate Sports Executive Order
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 24, 2025) – The Autonomy 5 Conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference, and Southeastern Conference) released the following statement addressing President Trump’s executive order about college sports:
“We appreciate President Trump’s commitment to protecting the future of college athletics. This executive order builds on the momentum created by the bipartisan SCORE Act, which will provide long-term stability to college sports and expand resources to support the overall well-being of student-athletes.
“With the House settlement now in effect, student-athletes have more financial and academic support than ever before. Now, attention turns to preserving these monumental gains by passing a federal law with national standards for student-athletes’ NIL rights.
“We hope Congress sends federal legislation to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible.”
Background: On July 23, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee favorably reported the SCORE Act out of their respective panels. The SCORE Act establishes a nationwide standard for student-athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, while also containing key provisions that expand academic and health benefits for student-athletes.
Key highlights of the SCORE ACT include:
Replacing the confusing patchwork of state NIL laws with a national standard that promotes fairness and consistency for all student-athletes and all sports programs.
Enshrining the groundbreaking economic benefits of the historic House v. NCAA settlement.
Establishing permissible revenue sharing by universities and colleges that will start at $20.5 million for 2025-26.
Providing scholarship protections and degree completion programs for student-athletes.
Covering the cost of medical care for student athletes for sports-related injuries, with no out of pocket costs, throughout their time at the university and up to three years after they leave or graduate.
Providing independent medical care, including for return to play decisions following an injury.
Providing support and counseling to students on numerous topics, including mental health resources, NIL rights, financial literacy, and career readiness.
Protecting a student-athlete’s right to control and monetize his or her name, image, and likeness and establishing safeguards to prevent bad actors from exploiting student-athletes.
Preserving the educational mission of college sports by prohibiting student-athletes from being deemed employees of their institution.
Requiring institutions to maintain at least 16 varsity sports programs.
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