Tim Pernetti, commissioner of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), commended U.S. President Donald Trump for signing an executive order designed to safeguard the exclusive December broadcasting slot for the annual Army-Navy college football game from potential conflicts with the College Football Playoff (CFP).[1]
In a statement, Pernetti said: "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."
The order, titled "Preserving America's Game," directs the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Commerce to coordinate with the NCAA, CFP and broadcast partners to ensure a standalone window for the game. It addresses concerns over the expanding CFP calendar potentially overlapping the game's traditional second Saturday in December slot, in place exclusively since 2009.[2][3]
The Army-Navy game, contested between the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy, was first played on December 29, 1890, and has been held annually since 1930. It is one of college football's highest-rated regular-season matchups, routinely drawing 7-9 million viewers. CBS Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights through the 2038 season.[4][5][6]
Trump signed the order during a White House ceremony presenting the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the Navy football team. The president has attended multiple Army-Navy games in past years and emphasized preserving the matchup's prominence.[7]
Pernetti added: "The Army-Navy Game represents far more than football. It honors our service academies, highlights the character and commitment of our future leaders and brings Americans together around values that matter deeply, including service and sacrifice."
Sources
- American Athletic Conference. "Tim Pernetti Named Commissioner." November 22, 2021. https://theamerican.org/news/2021/11/22/general-tim-pernetti-named-american-athletic-conference-commissioner.aspx
- College Football Playoff. "CFP Format & Schedule FAQs." Accessed October 2024. https://collegefootballplayoff.com/format/
- Sports Business Journal. "Army-Navy game locks in Saturday night slot through 2028." December 5, 2018. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2018/12/05/Media/Army-Navy.aspx
- United States Military Academy. "Army-Navy Game History." Accessed October 2024. https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2023/12/9/army-vs-navy-history-preview.aspx
- Sports Media Watch. "2023 Army-Navy Game on CBS: 8.95 million viewers (up 22%)." December 2023. https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2023/12/army-navy-cbs-ratings/
- CBS Sports. "CBS Sports Extends Army-Navy Game Rights Through 2038." March 17, 2022. https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/cbs-sports-extends-army-navy-game-rights-through-2038/
- Associated Press. Multiple reports on presidential attendance at Army-Navy games (e.g., 2019, 2020). December 2019/2020. https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-navy-game-coin-toss-2020
