President Trump to host major college sports roundtable at White House
President Donald Trump is set to host a roundtable discussion with Power 4 commissioners and high-profile sports figures at the White House on 6 March to debate the future of college athletics.
The event, titled the “College Sports Roundtable”, aims to address the rapidly shifting landscape of university sports in the United States.
According to sources, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and New York Yankees president Randy Levine have been listed as vice-chairs for the gathering.
A distinguished list of 35 invitees includes 15-time major golf champion Tiger Woods and legendary former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
Other notable figures expected to be involved include former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Executives from major broadcasters, including Fox Sports president Eric Shanks and ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro, are also on the guest list.
Skepticism over outcome
While invitations have been distributed, it remains unclear exactly who will attend the session in Washington DC.
Some sources intending to travel have privately expressed doubt regarding how much can be achieved on a Friday afternoon given the diverse backgrounds of those present.
“It is people who could be involved in helping shape the future of college athletics and some of the solutions and strategies to structuring the athletic world going forward,” one source told ESPN.
“It is so preliminary, it is hard to say anything with any sort of specificity because there has not been anything provided to us in writing of that sort yet.”
No active college head coaches were included in the group invited to the capital.
NIL and legislative battles
The high-level meeting comes as university leaders continue to lobby lawmakers on Capitol Hill for legislation to regulate Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals.
Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell, a key figure in the “Saving College Sports” campaign, is expected to attend after pushing for such a dialogue for over a year.
Despite previous outspoken support from Mr Trump and various politicians regarding athlete employment issues, the NCAA has so far failed to secure a congressional vote on federal regulation.