President Donald Trump says he plans to sign an executive order aimed at preserving the Army-Navy Game’s traditional place on the college football calendar, framing the annual rivalry as a national institution that deserves protection from expanding postseason schedules and mounting commercial pressures.
In a post shared on social media, Trump argued that the second Saturday in December should remain exclusively reserved for the Army-Navy Game. He cited concerns that future College Football Playoff expansion could encroach on the matchup’s long-held window.
He described the game as a symbol of patriotism, courage, and honor, and suggested that financial motivations tied to television contracts threaten its standing.
Trump wrote that his administration would secure an exclusive four-hour broadcast window for the game, preventing any other college football contests from airing at the same time. The move, he said, would ensure the Army-Navy Game “stands above commercial postseason games,” emphasizing its cultural and historical importance over playoff-driven programming decisions.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr reposted Trump’s statement on X, signaling awareness of the issue, but offered no additional comment or clarification regarding the agency’s position.
Broadcast television operates under Federal Communications Commission oversight, but the FCC’s authority does not typically extend to dictating sports scheduling decisions across networks. While broadcasters are subject to certain content regulations, courts have consistently ruled that any restrictions must be narrowly tailored to serve a substantial governmental interest.
The Army-Navy Game has aired on CBS Sports since 1996, and the network currently holds broadcast rights through 2038. Paramount Global, CBS’ parent company, has not commented on the matter.
Lawmakers have previously weighed in on the issue. In 2024, a bipartisan group urged college football officials to preserve the Army-Navy Game’s traditional date, warning that playoff expansion could dilute one of the sport’s most recognizable standalone events.
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