Trump’s executive order limits college athletes to 5 years of play, 1 transfer
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
President Donald Trump on Friday announced an executive order that can change the landscape of college sports.
College athletes can currently transfer schools after the end of a season, which reversed course a previous rule that made athletes sit out a year if they chose to play at the same level. Both of those options have seen heavy criticism.
Trump’s executive order would limit athletes to transferring once during a five-year period “with immediate playing eligibility, and one additional such time if the student-athlete obtains a four-year degree.”
It limits players to just five years of eligibility as an undergraduate student. There have been recent criticisms of some athletes receiving long-extended eligibility, including one in 2024 who entered his ninth season of football. The order does say it can make an exception for an athlete attending graduate school.
The order also prohibits professional players from playing in college athletics. Charles Bediako, who was a player in the NBA’s developmental league, was able to play a few games for the Alabama men’s basketball team this season, but was later determined by a judge to be not eligible.
Other parameters in the order include banning federal funds “for NIL or revenue-sharing payments or coaching or athletic compensation.”
The University of Missouri’s athletic department had no comment on the executive order on Friday afternoon.
Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement on the conference’s social media supporting the order and the SCORE Act, which takes aim at clarifying rules on money related to name, image and likeness.
“The establishment and enforcement of consistent national standards for college athletics remains a top priority, and President Trump’s executive order provides important clarity to help ensure all programs operate under comparable policies,” the statement says.
Commissioner @GregSankey on Presidential Executive Order: pic.twitter.com/WPWPMf5BsF
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) April 3, 2026
The Big 10 Conference similarly thanked Trump and supported the order on its social media. The Big 12 and ACC also approved of the measure.
A statement from Commissioner Tony Petitti on the Presidential Executive Order. pic.twitter.com/VQYuPEeV75
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) April 3, 2026
Check back for updates.