Executive Order would put restrictions on student-athletes ability to transfer, limit eligibility

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) -- President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Friday which calls on the NCAA to enact new rules which could limit eligibility and student-athletes' ability to transfer.

The measure directs the NCAA to create a rule which would restrict student-athletes to "no more than a five-year period" and allow them to transfer only once without needing to sit out a season.

"Even thinking about their academics and their degree path, if they're making moves and they're deciding to transfer for what's best for them and their individual situation, how can we fairly put a cap on that and say you can only transfer once you just because you excel at a certain sport," said Christopher Overton, the CEO and Founder of Believe Sports Group.

The introduction of Name, Image and Likeness deals and the transfer portal has opened a new frontier for college sports, allowing top athletes to cash in on significant financial opportunities.

"We've had athletes that have transferred up from the Division II level where they weren't making any money and then going to the opportunity to have six-figure to seven-figure deals," said Overton.

It has become increasingly common for student-athletes to transfer multiple times through the course of their respective careers. Prior to the Executive Order, there had been prior measures implemented to limit the ability of student-athletes to transfer.

"This is the first time in football that we've seen only one transfer window. That was an adjustment as well, because now going into the spring, you have spring ball and you don't get the opportunity to potentially explore your options once you wrap that up," Overton shared.

The executive order also directs the NCAA to establish a national registry for agents and to enact policies barring schools from cutting scholarships, women's sports or Olympic sports to compensate student-athletes.

Schools that play an athlete who does not meet the proposed rules could risk losing federal funding under the order.

The NCAA has long sought congressional assistance in establishing a clearer framework to rein in the current college athletics environment.

"Over the past six years, we've had not minor (but) major changes almost on a yearly basis in regard to the restrictions and the rules and the different guidelines. It's ever-changing, but we're preparing our athletes and our clients on a daily basis to understand how this impacts them," said Overton.

The transfer portal for women's college basketball players opened Monday, while the transfer portal for men's college basketball players will open Tuesday.

In a joint statement, UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts and Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham addressed the executive order:

At Carolina, we are committed to providing student-athletes across 28 varsity sports with the opportunity to compete at the highest level while earning a world-class education from the country's first public university. As the landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that we establish greater clarity, consistency and sustainability across college athletics. To that end, we appreciate the continued support and engagement that President Trump and his Administration have demonstrated with the recent executive order, "Urgent National Action to Save College Sports."

We are encouraged by the growing national momentum toward thoughtful reform and remain supportive of efforts, including the Score Act, that aim to bring stability to this environment. Our focus remains on preserving broad-based athletic opportunities, strengthening the student-athlete experience and ensuring that Carolina Athletics continues to reflect the values of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

We look forward to working with national leaders, our ACC partners and peer institutions to help shape a future that benefits student-athletes at Carolina and across the country.

The order would take effect Aug. 1, though legal experts who spoke with ESPN believe if challenged in court, the measure would be struck down.