American Athletic Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti praised Donald Trump after the president signed an executive order aimed at preserving the traditional broadcast window of the historic Army-Navy Game.

Pernetti expressed “deep gratitude” for what he called a “historic” move, emphasizing that the game represents more than just football. He highlighted its role in honoring U.S. service academies and showcasing values like service, sacrifice, and leadership.

The executive order directs agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Commerce to coordinate with key stakeholders—including the NCAA and the College Football Playoff—to ensure the game maintains its standalone national time slot.

The move comes amid concerns that the expanding College Football Playoff schedule could interfere with the Army-Navy Game’s long-standing placement on the second Saturday of December—a tradition in place since 2009.

First played in 1890 and held annually since 1930, the Army-Navy Game is one of the most iconic rivalries in college football, regularly drawing millions of viewers. Its current broadcast agreement with CBS Sports runs through 2038.

Trump signed the order while presenting the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the Navy football team at the White House, reinforcing the symbolic importance of the game within American sports and military tradition.