President Donald Trump warned that women’s sports face a dire crisis amid rapid changes in college athletics, stating during a White House roundtable discussion, “Women sports are being canceled all over the country and they are in deep trouble.”
Trump: Women's sports are in deep trouble. Other than one particular woman's team. That's Miami. Where I have my granddaughter on a team. They cancelled men's golf but women's golf is just fine. I'm only kidding. pic.twitter.com/rWAhKiTb4p
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2026
The “Saving College Sports” roundtable brought together key figures including lawmakers, coaches, athletic administrators, and industry leaders to address mounting financial and regulatory pressures on college programs. Trump opened the session by emphasizing the broader stakes, noting that explosive spending and losses at universities threaten not only sports but the future of higher education itself. He highlighted how recent legal rulings and unregulated practices have upended long-standing systems, leading to massive contracts for young athletes and financial strain on schools.
Trump: We're gathered today to discuss an important threat to the integrity and culture of college sports pic.twitter.com/yTPYfX0VNA
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2026
Trump pointed to specific examples of programs being eliminated, including men’s golf, wrestling, fencing, and even basketball in some cases, while underscoring the particular vulnerability of women’s teams. He noted that non-revenue sports, often supported by football and basketball earnings, are bearing the brunt of budget shortfalls as costs escalate. The discussion frequently returned to the impact on women’s athletics and the Olympic pipeline, with participants stressing that the current environment jeopardizes opportunities for female athletes who have historically benefited from college-based development.
Participants described a chaotic landscape marked by unlimited transfers, varying state laws on name, image, and likeness deals, and endless litigation that prevents consistent rules. Former Alabama coach Nick Saban explained how the shift has made it difficult to prioritize education and personal growth, with athletes now facing extended eligibility and repeated moves that hinder graduation. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and others echoed concerns about fairness, mental health support, and the need for national standards to ensure equitable competition.
Trump: I would like to sign an executive order that I will write myself and we will be sued and we will go before a court and may be, maybe we will have a judge that is realistic, reasonable and wants to do a favor for the country because that is the only way this will be solved. pic.twitter.com/XdHUCPcoxQ
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 6, 2026
Trump referenced his earlier executive order aimed at curbing destructive pay-for-play schemes and called for federal legislation to establish common-sense guidelines, potentially building on the SCORE Act, which has bipartisan backing in the House. He expressed frustration with prior court decisions that dismantled traditional frameworks, arguing they ignored the realities of sports and education. While optimistic about congressional action, Trump announced plans to issue a new executive order within a week to impose practical solutions, acknowledging it would likely face legal challenges.
The roundtable reflected widespread agreement on the urgency of reform to preserve college sports’ role in developing student-athletes, producing Olympic talent, and providing educational access—particularly for women, whose programs have seen significant growth in participation and visibility in recent years but now risk reversal.