Preserving America’s Game – Presidential Actions

3/20/2026

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Purpose: Ensure that the Army‑Navy Game, celebrated as “America’s Game,” is preserved as a dedicated national event by preventing schedule conflicts with the College Football Playoffs and other postseason games.
Broadcast Exclusivity: Establish an exclusive broadcast window on the second Saturday in December for the Army‑Navy Game, ensuring no other college football game is aired simultaneously.
Implementation Measures:
- The Secretary of Commerce and the FCC Chairman will coordinate with the CFP Committee, NCAA, related organizations, and media rights partners.
- The FCC Chairman is tasked with reviewing broadcast licensees’ public interest obligations to reinforce the national service status of the Army‑Navy Game.
General Provisions:
- The order does not impair existing executive authorities or affect budgetary and administrative functions of the Office of Management and Budget.
- Implementation is subject to applicable laws and funding availability.
- The order does not create enforceable rights against the U.S. government or its agents.
- Publication costs will be covered by the Department of War.
Authority & Timing: Issued by President Donald J. Trump on March 20, 2026, under the constitutional powers vested in the President.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order aims to preserve the Army-Navy Game’s status and minimize scheduling conflicts with other college football events. This could lead to increased attention and resources directed towards military service academies, potentially enhancing their visibility and influence.
There is a risk that this exclusivity may create tension among other college football programs and their respective fan bases, as they may feel sidelined by the federal prioritization of a single event. This could affect Vanderbilt’s relationships with other institutions within the NCAA and its standing in college athletics.
The implementation of this order could necessitate adjustments in broadcasting schedules, impacting media rights agreements and revenues for universities involved in college football. Vanderbilt may need to reassess its marketing strategies and partnerships with media entities.
Vanderbilt University should consider how this prioritization of the Army-Navy Game could impact recruitment and student engagement, particularly among prospective student-athletes interested in playing football.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Athletic Department may need to navigate the implications of this order, including changes in the scheduling of games and potential impacts on ticket sales and fan engagement.
The Office of Alumni Relations could see a shift in interest from alumni who may prioritize events related to the Army-Navy Game over other college football events.
Vanderbilt’s Communications Department may need to develop new strategies to address the media landscape and public relations narratives shaped by this order, especially regarding the university’s athletic programs.
Academic Programs related to sports management or military studies may find new research opportunities focusing on the intersection of athletics and national identity.

Financial Impact

This order could lead to a shift in television revenues, potentially disadvantaging Vanderbilt in the financial landscape of college athletics if their games conflict with the Army-Navy Game.
There may be implications for sponsorship and advertising revenues as businesses align their marketing strategies around this order’s influence on college football.
Increased prominence of military academies could result in heightened competition for student-athlete recruitment, affecting Vanderbilt’s financial planning for scholarships and athletic funding.
Vanderbilt might explore new opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships that align with themes of patriotism and military support, which could diversify its funding sources.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential changes to athletic programs.)

Key Actions

The Department of Athletics should monitor the implications of the Executive Order on scheduling conflicts for the Army-Navy Game. This includes assessing how it might affect Vanderbilt’s athletic programs and events, particularly those related to college football, to ensure that the university maintains its visibility and support for military service academies.
Vanderbilt’s Communications Office should enhance its public relations strategy to align with the emphasis on the Army-Navy Game as a national service event. This could involve promoting the university’s own military engagement initiatives and partnerships to highlight its commitment to supporting military service and veterans.
The Office of Student Affairs should consider organizing events or activities that coincide with the Army-Navy Game to foster school spirit and community engagement among students. This could include watch parties or discussions on the significance of the game and military service.
The Office of Alumni Relations should leverage the focus on the Army-Navy Game to engage alumni who are military veterans or have connections to the military. Creating opportunities for alumni to share their experiences and promote camaraderie can strengthen the university’s ties to its veteran community.
The Vanderbilt Military and Veterans Affairs Office should provide resources and support for current students and alumni who are active military or veterans, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued during events surrounding the Army-Navy Game.

Opportunities

The Executive Order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt to showcase its commitment to military service through partnerships with local military organizations or initiatives. Engaging in community service events or educational programs can enhance the university’s reputation as a leader in supporting veterans and active service members.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased national attention on the Army-Navy Game by hosting related events or forums that discuss the role of sports in promoting military values and community. This can position the university as a thought leader in the intersection of athletics and military service.
By aligning its marketing and outreach efforts with the themes of the Army-Navy Game, Vanderbilt can attract prospective students who value military service and community engagement, potentially increasing applications from this demographic.
The focus on the Army-Navy Game as a national service event allows Vanderbilt to promote its educational programs related to military studies, public policy, or sports management, thus attracting students interested in these fields.
Engaging with alumni who are involved in military service can open doors for potential fundraising opportunities, particularly for scholarships or programs supporting military-connected students at Vanderbilt.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order suggests some adjustments needed to processes or procedures to align with the national focus on military service and athletics.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.8

Timeline for Implementation

N/A

There is no explicit deadline or timeline mentioned for implementing the directives, as the order does not provide a specific window or interval for compliance.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Commerce: The order directs the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate efforts ensuring that no college football game conflicts with the Army‑Navy Game.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): The FCC Chairman is tasked with coordinating with multiple parties and reviewing broadcast license obligations to safeguard the national broadcast window for the Army‑Navy Game.
Department of War: The order specifies that publishing costs are to be borne by the Department of War, highlighting its role in supporting national morale events associated with military service academies.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The order explicitly protects the OMB’s functions, ensuring the presidential directive does not impair its budgetary, administrative, or legislative roles.

Relevance Score: 2 (A moderately small number of Federal Agencies are directly impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Commerce – Responsible for coordinating with the CFP Committee, the NCAA, and related organizations to establish an exclusive broadcast window for the Army-Navy Game.
Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – Tasked with coordinating alongside the Secretary of Commerce and reviewing the public interest obligations of broadcast licensees regarding the Army-Navy Game.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect a Cabinet official and an agency head, thus involving White House or Cabinet-level oversight.)