Trump to Host Roundtable on College Athletics at the White House

Mar 2, 2026, 2:19 AM
Image for article Trump to Host Roundtable on College Athletics at the White House

Hover over text to view sources

President Donald Trump is set to convene a significant roundtable discussion at the White House on March 6, aimed at addressing the future of college athletics. This event, known as the "College Sports Roundtable," is expected to feature prominent figures from various sectors of the college sports landscape, including athletic directors, conference commissioners, and notable athletes.
The roundtable will take place at 4 pm ET and is anticipated to include around 35 invitees, though it remains unclear how many will attend. Among those invited are Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Randy Levine, the president of the New York Yankees, who will serve as vice chairs alongside Trump.
Notable attendees include the four power conference commissioners—Jim Phillips (ACC), Brett Yormark (Big 12), Tony Petitti (Big Ten), and Greg Sankey (SEC)—along with Gloria Nevarez, the commissioner of the Mountain West. The guest list also features former college coaches such as Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Mack Brown, as well as high-profile athletes like Tim Tebow and Tiger Woods.
The discussions will likely center on critical issues impacting college athletics, including name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules, athlete compensation, and the future governance of the NCAA. Recent court rulings have significantly altered the landscape of college sports, leading to increased professionalization and challenges to traditional NCAA policies.
Furthermore, the roundtable seeks to explore potential federal legislation aimed at stabilizing the college sports environment, which has seen a surge in legal challenges and differing state laws. Trump's previous executive order titled "Saving College Sports" aimed to address these issues but has yet to yield concrete changes.
The event represents an important moment in the ongoing debate over college athletics, particularly as stakeholders grapple with how to best navigate the evolving landscape. The roundtable aims to foster collaboration among leaders who often have competing interests, as they seek to find solutions to an industry at a critical juncture.
Despite the high-profile nature of the event, it is noteworthy that no current college athletes have been invited to participate in the discussions. This exclusion raises questions about the representation of athlete perspectives in conversations that directly affect their future.
As the roundtable approaches, industry leaders and observers are watching closely to see how this gathering might influence the direction of college sports in the coming years. With a diverse group of influential figures coming together, the outcome of the discussions could play a pivotal role in shaping policies that impact college athletes and the structure of college athletics.
In summary, President Trump's upcoming roundtable at the White House signifies an essential dialogue about the future of college athletics. With key stakeholders from various sectors in attendance, the meeting aims to address pressing issues and explore potential paths forward for the industry.

Related articles

Trump Pushes for Return to Pre-NIL Era in College Sports

President Trump has called for a return to the pre-NIL era in college athletics, expressing his intentions to re-implement previous policies through a second executive order. During a roundtable discussion at the White House, he criticized current compensation structures and indicated that legal challenges would be part of his strategy to achieve this goal.

Messi's White House Visit: A Shift in Political Engagement?

Lionel Messi's recent visit to the White House with Inter Miami has raised eyebrows, marking a potential shift in his longstanding avoidance of politics. While some see it as a departure from his apolitical stance, experts suggest his appearance may be more about brand management than political engagement.

Trump to Lead Roundtable with College Leaders on Sports Issues

President Donald Trump is set to chair a roundtable discussion focusing on the future of college athletics, featuring prominent figures from various sectors. The event aims to address ongoing challenges within college sports, including the evolving landscape of athlete compensation and regulatory issues.

Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman to Join Trump's College Sports Roundtable

University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman is set to attend a White House roundtable hosted by President Donald Trump on March 6. The meeting aims to address pressing issues in college sports, including name, image, and likeness (NIL) regulations and the transfer portal.

Trump to Host White House Roundtable on College Athletics Future

President Donald Trump will convene a roundtable at the White House on March 6, focusing on the future of college athletics. The meeting will include prominent figures from sports, politics, and media, addressing critical issues such as NCAA authority and athlete compensation.