Meta title: Trump criticises US college sports NIL system, signals federal action
Meta description: US President Donald Trump has slammed the NIL system in college sports as unsustainable, warning of financial collapse for universities and suggesting possible federal intervention.
Slug: trump-calls-us-college-sports-nil-disaster-federal-action

US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised the name, image and likeness (NIL) framework governing American college sports, calling it unsustainable and signalling that federal action may be required to prevent financial damage to universities.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the current system had spiralled out of control, pointing to unchecked spending and the transfer portal as major concerns. He argued that colleges were being pushed into costly bidding wars for athletes without adequate safeguards.

Trump warned that universities, including some of the most prominent institutions, were already suffering financial losses. He said the pressure to spend heavily on high-profile recruits was forcing colleges to divert resources away from other sports, threatening programmes that traditionally serve as pipelines for Olympic competition.

Drawing comparisons with professional leagues, Trump suggested that college sports lacked the financial controls needed to remain viable. He added that the current model ultimately harms athletes as well as institutions, describing the situation as damaging for all involved.

The President indicated that the federal government could step in to address the issue, stressing that action was needed quickly to prevent further disruption across the collegiate athletics system.

Introduced in 2021, the NIL framework allows US college athletes to earn income from endorsements and sponsorships. While supporters say it corrects long-standing inequities, critics argue it has destabilised recruitment, finances, and the broader college sports ecosystem.