Preserving America’s Game
3/20/2026
Action Summary
- Purpose: Ensure that the historic Army‑Navy Game, celebrated as “America’s Game” on the second Saturday in December, retains its exclusive national focus amid scheduling pressures from expanding college football postseason events.
- Broadcast Exclusivity: Prohibit any college football game—specifically the College Football Playoffs (CFP) or other postseason contests—from being broadcast during the Army‑Navy Game window.
- Implementation Mechanism:
- Task the Secretary of Commerce and the FCC Chairman with coordinating with the CFP Committee, NCAA, and related entities.
- Establish an exclusive broadcast window for the Army‑Navy Game.
- Review public interest obligations of broadcast licensees to ensure the game remains a national service event.
- General Provisions:
- Affirm that the order does not impair the authority of executive agencies or affect budgetary and administrative functions.
- Subject the implementation to applicable law and the availability of appropriations.
- Clarify that no legal rights or benefits are created for any party against the United States.
- Assign the cost of publication to the Department of War.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order aims to preserve the Army-Navy Game as a significant national event, which may limit the scheduling flexibility for college football programs. This could lead to conflicts with other universities and sporting events, generating potential backlash from stakeholders in the college football community.
- By establishing an exclusive broadcasting window for the Army-Navy Game, there is a risk of diminishing the visibility and revenue opportunities for other college football events. This could indirectly affect universities that rely on broadcasting rights and game attendance for financial support.
- The focus on the Army-Navy Game may lead to increased scrutiny on college sports’ role in promoting military values and traditions. This could bring about ethical debates surrounding the commercialization of college sports and their relationship with military institutions.
- Vanderbilt University, as a member of the NCAA, may need to navigate new challenges related to scheduling and promotional strategies to ensure that its athletic programs do not suffer due to these policy changes.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt Athletics may need to reassess its scheduling policies to avoid conflicts with the Army-Navy Game, which could affect fan engagement and attendance at games.
- The Office of Public Affairs might need to adjust its communications strategy to address any public backlash or concerns regarding the impact of this order on college football as a whole.
- Vanderbilt’s Alumni Relations may find opportunities to strengthen ties with military alumni and organizations as a result of the increased focus on the Army-Navy Game.
- The Department of History at Vanderbilt could leverage this event to explore and analyze the cultural significance of college sports and military affiliation in American society.
Financial Impact
- The establishment of an exclusive broadcast window for the Army-Navy Game could reduce the audience and financial viability of competing college football games, potentially affecting Vanderbilt’s revenue from sports programs.
- Changes in broadcasting rules may necessitate Vanderbilt to adapt its marketing and sponsorship strategies to attract funding while navigating the new landscape of college football scheduling.
- This order may open up new funding opportunities for programs related to military history and sports management, particularly through partnerships with military organizations and government agencies.
- As public interest in military-affiliated events grows, Vanderbilt may need to consider the implications for its fundraising efforts and donor relations, particularly with alumni who are military veterans.
Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks typically involving compliance or ethics concerns related to college athletics and scheduling conflicts.)
Key Actions
- The Office of Federal Relations should engage with the Department of War and the Secretary of Commerce to monitor the implementation of the executive order, ensuring that Vanderbilt’s visibility and involvement in military-related events are prioritized. This engagement could foster partnerships and enhance the university’s profile in national service-related initiatives.
- Vanderbilt Athletics should explore opportunities to align its scheduling with the Army-Navy Game, potentially enhancing fan engagement and attendance at university events. This could also strengthen ties with military service academies and the Department of Defense.
- The Department of Communication should prepare to leverage the exclusive window for the Army-Navy Game in promotional materials and potential media collaborations. Highlighting military traditions and values may resonate with stakeholders and enhance community relations.
- The Office of Strategic Partnerships should consider outreach to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding potential research or projects that align with the objectives of the Army-Navy Game, potentially leading to collaborative initiatives that showcase Vanderbilt’s commitment to national service.
- The Vanderbilt Alumni Association should promote engagement with alumni who have military backgrounds, leveraging the significance of the Army-Navy Game to strengthen alumni relations and potentially increase participation in university events.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to develop programs focused on military education and leadership, potentially enhancing its reputation in educational policy related to military families.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the heightened focus on military events by creating community programs that involve local veterans and military families, thereby strengthening community ties and enhancing the university’s public image.
- The emphasis on national service events like the Army-Navy Game could provide Vanderbilt with opportunities to host related events or discussions that involve national security and military strategy, further establishing the university as a thought leader in these areas.
Relevance Score: 3
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – The order instructs coordination and review without specifying any explicit deadlines for the directives to be implemented.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of War: Responsible for bearing the publication costs of the order and preserving the historical significance of the Army‑Navy Game as a morale-building event for Military Service Academies.
- Department of Commerce: Tasked with coordinating with the FCC and other agencies to ensure that the Army‑Navy Game is broadcast in an exclusive window without conflicts from college football postseason games.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Required to work alongside the Department of Commerce to review public interest obligations and coordinate media announcements to protect the national broadcast window reserved for the Army‑Navy Game.
- Office of Management and Budget: Its existing functions regarding budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals are to remain unaffected by this order.
Relevance Score: 2 (3 to 5 agencies are directly impacted by the issuance of this executive order.)
Responsible Officials
- Secretary of Commerce – Responsible for coordinating with the CFP Committee, the NCAA, related organizations, relevant government agencies, and broadcast partners to secure an exclusive broadcast window for the Army-Navy Game.
- Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – Tasked with both coordinating these efforts and reviewing the public interest obligations of broadcast licensees to prioritize the Army-Navy Game.
Relevance Score: 4 (Directives impact agency heads, including a Cabinet-level official and a top official at an independent agency.)