Trump issues executive order to protect Army-Navy broadcast

President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday barring the College Football Playoff and other postseason games from airing during the annual Army-Navy matchup in December.

Trump directed the commerce secretary and FCC chairperson to coordinate with the CFP committee, the NCAA and media rights partners to ensure an exclusive broadcasting window for the storied rivalry traditionally played the second Saturday each December.

Trump’s order makes reference to potential expansion of the CFP, which likely would lead to an earlier start for the playoff. In the first two years of the 12-team format, the first-round games were the weekend after Army-Navy, which moved off the first Saturday in December in 2009 because of conference championship games.

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This year, the Army-Navy Game is scheduled for Dec. 12 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The CFP first-round games are set for Dec. 18-19.

If the playoff were to expand to 24 teams, a model that has been discussed, at least one more week of games would be required. Starting the postseason earlier in December would be a consideration. A smaller expansion to 16 games wouldn’t necessarily change the number of weeks required for the playoff.

“Such scheduling conflicts weaken the national focus on our Military Service Academies and detract from a morale-building event of vital interest to the Department of War,” Trump’s executive order said. “Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that no college football game, specifically college football’s CFP or other postseason games, be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army-Navy Game.”

Trump signed the executive order after hosting the Navy football team at the White House to recognize the Midshipmen earning the Commander in Chief’s Trophy from its wins over Army and Air Force last season.

Army athletic director Tom Theodorakis and American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti issued statements praising Trump’s order.

“We’re grateful for the president’s leadership and for everyone working to protect, preserve, and unite around America’s game and the values it stands for,” Theodorakis said.

Said Pernetti: “The American Conference is deeply grateful to President Trump for his strong leadership in issuing the historic executive order to preserve America’s Game. This is a meaningful step that protects a cherished national tradition and reinforces what makes the Army-Navy Game so special to our country.”

Army and Navy have played every year since 1930, including the pandemic-altered 2020 season and during World War II. There have been 126 meetings, and other neutral sites have included the NFL homes of the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.