FSU Football Legend Attends Trump's College Sports Roundtable

Charlie Ward joins leaders from across college athletics to discuss the future of NIL and NCAA regulations.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Former Florida State Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Charlie Ward was among the roughly 30 college sports leaders who attended President Donald Trump's "College Sports Roundtable" at the White House. The meeting was designed to gather diverse perspectives on tackling the challenges posed by the NIL era and developing a national framework to stabilize college athletics.

Why it matters

As college athletes have gained the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness, the rapid shift has left administrators and lawmakers searching for clearer national regulations. Ward's presence at the roundtable brings the perspective of a former star player who is now involved in NIL efforts through Florida State's Rising Spear Collective.

The details

The roundtable included representatives from major college conferences, current and former university leaders, athletic directors, and team owners. Participants discussed potential solutions, including the SCORE Act, a bill in Congress that would establish standardized regulations for athlete compensation and limits on certain player payments.

  • The roundtable was held on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Charlie Ward

A former Florida State Heisman Trophy winner and national champion, Ward is currently the head basketball coach at Florida A&M and is involved with Florida State's Rising Spear Collective, which aims to provide NIL deals for student-athletes.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who hosted the "College Sports Roundtable" at the White House.

Charlie Baker

The NCAA president, who participated in the roundtable discussion.

Nick Saban

The head football coach at the University of Alabama, who was among the participants at the roundtable.

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida, who was seated alongside Charlie Ward during the roundtable.

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What they’re saying

“The executive order is going to be based on great common sense.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (si.com)

What’s next

Following the meeting, President Trump announced plans to sign a new executive order to address some of the challenges surrounding college athletics, though details of the order were not immediately made public.

The takeaway

The gathering of diverse voices from across college sports underscores the continued efforts to bring structure and stability to a system that has rapidly evolved since the introduction of NIL opportunities. Charlie Ward's presence at the roundtable adds the perspective of a former star player who is now involved in NIL efforts, highlighting the complex issues facing college athletics.