A new executive order is pushing the U.S. government to clarify whether college athletes should be considered employees, a shift that could reshape the future of college sports. The directive, issued amid mounting legal and financial pressure on the NCAA, aims to bring more structure to how schools manage athlete compensation and benefits. College sports have seen a dramatic transformation with NIL deals and revenue sharing, but questions remain about labor rights and who qualifies as a school employee. The order also emphasizes protecting scholarships and non-revenue sports like women’s athletics and Olympic pipelines, highlighting the broader stakes beyond just football and basketball.
See "Trump signs executive order seeking to clarify college athletes' employment status", Will Weissert, WNEP, July 24, 2025