Texas Tech Backs Trump’s Executive Order to ‘Save College Sports’ — But What Are They Really Saving?

Texas Tech University has publicly supported President Trump’s executive order designed to “save college sports,” according to a recent report from FOX19. The order claims to protect college athletics from the financial and operational turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. On the surface, this sounds like a win for student-athletes and educational institutions. But a closer look reveals a troubling pattern of executive overreach and a lack of transparency that demands scrutiny.

Trump’s executive order bypasses Congress and traditional legislative processes, imposing top-down mandates on college sports programs nationwide. This is consistent with the administration’s broader approach: using executive power to sidestep democratic norms and push through policies without public debate or accountability.

Texas Tech’s endorsement of this order aligns with a broader trend among universities eager to secure funding and stability amid uncertain times. Yet, the order’s vague language and broad authority risk enabling private interests and wealthy boosters to gain disproportionate influence over college athletics. Instead of empowering athletes and ensuring fairness, it could deepen existing inequalities and entrench the commercialization of college sports.

Moreover, the executive order does little to address the root causes of financial instability in college athletics, such as the exploitation of student-athletes who generate billions in revenue without fair compensation. The Trump administration’s approach here mirrors its general disregard for civil rights and democratic accountability — prioritizing short-term optics over meaningful reform.

At a time when democratic institutions are under strain, and authoritarian tactics are on the rise, Texas Tech’s support for this executive order is emblematic of a larger problem. It highlights how powerful entities exploit crises to consolidate control, often at the expense of transparency, fairness, and democratic process.

We will keep tracking how this executive order unfolds and who it ultimately serves. For those concerned about government overreach and the erosion of democratic norms, this is a story to watch closely.