Preserving America's Game
- Executive Order Number
- 14396
- President
- Donald Trump
- Signed
- March 20, 2026
- Published
- March 25, 2026
- Source
- Federal Register
- Original Document
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-03-25/pdf/2026-05867.pdf
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The executive order aims to preserve the Army-Navy Game—described as "America's Game" and a symbol of excellence and the American spirit—as the exclusive college football broadcast on the second Saturday in December. It addresses potential conflicts from the expanding College Football Playoffs (CFP) and other postseason games, which could dilute national focus on the Military Service Academies and undermine a morale-building event for the Department of War. Policy: No CFP or other postseason college football games shall be broadcast in direct conflict with the Army-Navy Game.
Key Actions or Directives
- Coordination for exclusive window (Sec. 2(a)): The Secretary of Commerce and FCC Chairman must work with the CFP Committee, NCAA, related organizations, other government agencies, and broadcast/media rights partners to establish a broadcast window exclusively for the Army-Navy Game, during which no other college football games air.
- FCC review (Sec. 2(b)): The FCC Chairman shall evaluate broadcast licensees' public interest obligations to assess if they require treating the Army-Navy Game as a national service event.
- Implementation notes (Sec. 3): Consistent with law and appropriations; does not impair agency authority or create enforceable rights; publication costs borne by the Department of War.
Significant Changes to Policy or Law
- Introduces a new federal policy prioritizing the Army-Navy Game's broadcast exclusivity over other college football postseason events.
- Directs FCC involvement in sports broadcasting scheduling, potentially expanding interpretations of public interest obligations under communications law (e.g., Communications Act of 1934).
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increased coordination duties for Commerce, FCC, and potentially DoD (via "Department of War" reference); morale boost for Military Service Academies.
- Private entities: NCAA, CFP Committee, and broadcasters may face scheduling restrictions and negotiations, altering postseason formats or media rights deals.
- Citizens/public: Ensures undivided national attention on Army-Navy Game; minimal direct effects otherwise.
- International relations: None apparent.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies: Department of Commerce, FCC, Department of War (noted as vital interest).
- Sports organizations: CFP Committee, NCAA, postseason game operators.
- Private sector: Broadcast and media rights partners (e.g., TV networks).
- Military: U.S. Military Service Academies (Army, Navy).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- First Amendment concerns: FCC directives could raise free speech issues by influencing private broadcast content/scheduling under "public interest" guise.
- Executive authority: Relies on presidential powers but invokes potentially outdated "Department of War" (superseded by National Security Act of 1947); standard disclaimers in Sec. 3 limit enforceability and avoid creating private rights.
- Separation of powers: Does not alter statutes but directs agency actions subject to law/appropriations; could invite congressional or judicial scrutiny if seen as regulatory overreach into private sports.
- Political: Symbolic emphasis on military traditions; dated March 20, 2026 (future issuance).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.