Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Trump Warns College NIL System Could Trigger Bankruptcies
Donald Trump says the way college athletes receive money has become too difficult for schools to manage.
This money is connected to athletes’ names, images and likenesses, or NIL.
He believes colleges could face serious financial trouble if payments continue without limits.
Trump said women’s sports and Olympic sports could be especially affected.
He also said football programs could suffer without payment caps.
Trump does not want professional athletes returning to college mainly to earn large NIL payments.
He called that unfair to younger college players.
He said senators from both parties are working on the issue and that Congress may consider more changes.
Donald Trump called the current college NIL system “out of control” and warned it could financially damage or bankrupt colleges.
He urged reforms and payment caps, saying unchecked spending could especially harm women’s and Olympic sports.
Trump criticized professional athletes returning to college for large NIL deals and competing against younger players.
He welcomed what he described as a bipartisan Senate vote and said the issue would proceed to a final Senate vote and the House.
The NCAA began allowing college athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness in 2021.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, college athletes, the United States Senate, and the House of Representatives are involved.
- What
- Trump called for reforms and payment caps on college athletes’ name, image and likeness payments.
- When
- The NCAA changed its rules in 2021; Trump said a final Senate vote was expected the following week, followed by House consideration.
- Where
- The issue concerns college sports in the United States.
- Why
- Trump said unchecked NIL payments could financially harm or bankrupt colleges, threaten non-football sports, and create unfair competition.
- Issue
- Reform of name, image and likeness payments in college sports
- Trump’s position
- The NIL system is “out of control” and needs payment caps and other reforms
- Potential impact
- Trump warned of financial pressure, bankruptcies, and damage to women’s and Olympic sports
- Rule change
- The NCAA began allowing student-athletes to benefit financially from NIL in 2021
- Legislative process
- Trump referred to a bipartisan Senate vote and anticipated a final Senate vote before House consideration
- Public support claim
- Trump said the proposal had 91% public support
- People thanked
- Trump credited Nick Saban, Randy Levine, and others in the sports community