The landscape of college athletics is undergoing unprecedented uncertainty and political involvement.
As the proposed House settlement — which would introduce revenue sharing between universities and student-athletes starting July 1 — awaits approval, former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to launch a presidential commission on college sports.
According to Yahoo Sports, this commission would examine key issues such as the transfer portal, unregulated booster payments, student-athlete employment status, the future of Olympic sports, how Title IX applies to revenue-sharing, and matters related to conference alignments and TV contracts.
These topics contribute to the current instability in college sports, much of which stems from the 2021 policy change allowing athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Auburn athletic director John Cohen didn’t specifically comment on the rumored commission but emphasized the need for federal intervention. “We need help because the leadership structure will remain fragile as long as decisions lead to courtroom battles,” Cohen told AL.com during the Lutzie 43 Golf Invitational. “We need leadership that doesn’t operate under the threat of litigation, and I believe federal involvement is necessary and likely.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama and former Auburn football coach, has been vocal about the need for federal NIL regulation. He recently shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he met with Trump to discuss creating national NIL standards, warning that “college football is the heart and soul of America — but it’s in danger if we don’t level the playing field.”
Cohen has previously called the current NIL system “unsustainable,” citing inconsistent rules. Many coaches and athletic administrators have pushed for federal oversight since NIL rights were introduced in 2021, and support for a standardized framework now appears stronger than ever.
Still, many programs remain in a state of flux regarding budgeting, roster management, and the evolving NIL environment. Cohen pointed to Jared Benko, Auburn’s new executive deputy athletic director hired in October, as a key figure in navigating these challenges. Benko, formerly Georgia Southern’s athletic director, is tasked with leading strategic planning, overseeing contracts and finances, and ensuring Auburn remains competitive amid the changing landscape.