President Donald Trump stated he plans to signal an executive order geared toward stopping any football video games from competing with the annual Army-Navy matchup, searching for to protect what he described as one of many nation’s most cherished sporting traditions.
The announcement Saturday evening signaled an unusually direct effort by the White House to affect faculty football scheduling and tv programming.
“The Army-Navy Game is one of our Greatest American Traditions — Unmatched Patriotism, Courage, and Honor! This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being pushed aside by more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NOT ANYMORE!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The order, the president stated, would carve out an unique broadcast window for the game. The transfer can be useful to Paramount Skydance-owned CBS, which has unique rights to the Army-Navy Game through 2038. Paramount is led by CEO David Ellison, with backing from his father, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who has solid shut ties with Trump’s inside circle.
“Under my Administration, the second Saturday in December belongs to Army-Navy, and ONLY Army-Navy! I will soon sign a Historic Executive Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!” Trump wrote.
It’s unclear how Trump’s potential executive order could possibly be enforced. The Federal Communications Commission regulates broadcast tv however not cable or streaming firms. NFL broadcasts are lined underneath antitrust legal guidelines enacted by Congress.
NCS has reached out to the FCC and CBS for remark.
The transfer would mark yet one more occasion of Trump inserting himself into the broadcasting and media panorama. During his presidency, he has repeatedly weighed in on television licensing issues and major media industry agreements, with the administration framing the problems as issues of public curiosity.
The annual matchup, first performed in 1890, celebrates the Army Black Knights of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and the Navy Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
“We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us,” Trump wrote, including a warning to broadcasters: “Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets.”
Trump final month attended the latest Army-Navy game in Baltimore, a 17-16 Navy victory, and took part within the ceremonial coin toss, marking his sixth look on the occasion. The game occurred on the identical day as different faculty football matchups, together with a bowl game that began simply half-hour after the Army-Navy kickoff.