The NCAA revised its policy for transgender athletes, now restricting participation in women’s sports to individuals assigned female at birth. This change followed President Trump’s executive order aimed at barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. The order allows federal agencies to withhold funding from entities not complying with Title IX, defining “sex” as the gender assigned at birth. The NCAA’s new policy applies immediately to all athletes, regardless of previous eligibility reviews. With over 1,200 schools and 500,000 athletes, the NCAA is the largest governing body for college athletics in the U.S.

NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized the importance of clear and consistent eligibility standards over conflicting state laws and court decisions. The revised policy permits athletes assigned male at birth to practice with women’s teams and access benefits like medical care during training sessions. This move aims to establish a national standard in response to President Trump’s order. The organization’s decision underscores its commitment to supporting student-athletes while navigating the evolving landscape of transgender inclusion in sports.