President Trump signed an executive order Friday designed to preserve the Army-Navy football game's standalone television slot in December. The directive aims to prevent future College Football Playoff expansion from scheduling competing games during the same weekend as the historic military academy rivalry.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday designed to preserve the Army-Navy football game’s standalone television broadcast slot each December.
The historic military academy rivalry has been held during the second December weekend since 2009, traditionally standing alone on the college football calendar before the evening Heisman Trophy presentation. But potential College Football Playoff expansion could introduce additional playoff rounds scheduled for that same weekend.
The current 12-team playoff format starts its first round the following weekend, as it has for two seasons. Any future expansion to 24 teams would necessitate at least one more round of games.
The situation becomes more complex because the second December weekend marks the final Saturday when the NFL cannot schedule games under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
“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,” Friday’s executive order stated. “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.”
Prior to 2009, the Army-Navy matchup traditionally occurred during late November or early December’s first weekend. Officials relocated it to the second December weekend to prevent conflicts with conference championship games and boost television viewership.
The enforceability of Friday’s directive remains uncertain. Executive orders only provide guidance to federal agencies and executive branch departments, with this particular order instructing the FCC chairperson to collaborate with the CFP committee, NCAA and media partners to safeguard the Army-Navy exclusive window.
This year’s Army-Navy game will take place December 12 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The CFP first round is set for December 18-19.
The Army-Navy rivalry has occurred annually since 1930 and has been played 126 times in total.
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