In response to concerns over NIL’s impact, President Trump convened a meeting with legendary coaches Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, along with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, to discuss solutions.
After the meeting, Trump announced plans to issue an executive order to address issues in college athletics.
President Trump Announces Executive Order After NIL Roundtable With Nick Saban
During the meeting, Trump credited Saban’s feedback for influencing his decision.
“So I’m going to sit down and I’m going to write an executive order based on many of the statements made today, many of the statements I’ve been hearing over the last year, about what a disaster this is for the colleges, for the players, for the families, ruining families, ruining everything,” Trump said.
Attendees discussed reviving the bipartisan SCORE Act to standardize NIL regulations and offer the NCAA limited antitrust protection. The Power Four commissioners, including Jim Phillips (ACC), Greg Sankey (SEC), Tony Petitti (Big Ten), and Brett Yormark (Big 12), were among more than 30 attendees at the roundtable and have previously voiced support for federal legislation on college sports. The commissioners and NCAA have backed the SCORE Act in ongoing efforts to pass federal reform.
Saban has expressed concerns about college football’s direction, with speculation that this influenced his retirement after Alabama’s playoff loss to Michigan.
Former Ole Miss Star Charles Stackhouse Questions Saban’s NIL Stance
Some believe NIL has leveled the playing field, citing Indiana’s national title as evidence. This has led many, including former fullback Charles Stackhouse, to question Saban’s motives.
Saban just wants Bama and LSU to be able to cheat and be elite again. Those days of being the big Teams bc they illegally spend big dollars are long gone. Welcome to mediocrity!
— Charles Stackhouse (@RealStackhouse) March 7, 2026
“Saban just wants Bama and LSU to be able to cheat and be elite again,” said Stackhouse, who played at Ole Miss and then in the NFL with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. “Those days of being the big Teams bc they illegally spend big dollars are long gone. Welcome to mediocrity!”
Saban coached Alabama and LSU, winning six national titles with Alabama and one with LSU in 2003.
Alabama is still adjusting after Saban’s departure. LSU, led by new coach Lane Kiffin, has reportedly invested heavily in its roster, with reports indicating the Tigers spent more than $40 million on their 2026 roster. The Tigers, of course, also spent big to lure Kiffin away from Stackhouse’s alma mater, possibly influencing his opinion on the current dynamics.
Though some roundtable ideas may be extreme, there is a call for clearer NIL and tampering regulations.
The next steps for college athlete compensation remain unclear, but upcoming reforms will shape whether athletes gain more rights or face new restrictions.
