The Trump Administration is poised to make decisions that could profoundly affect the sports landscape.
Reported by ESPN, the proposed fiscal budget for 2026 includes a request to Congress for substantial cuts to federal funding aimed at researching and educating about traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This initiative could hinder advancements in understanding and addressing head injuries within sports, particularly at the high school and youth levels.
This directly impacts the NFL and the players in regards to concussions and CTE
And yet they will fall right in line like they have been
Trump plan cuts funding for brain injury research – via @ESPN App https://t.co/icgozksOTB
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) May 5, 2025
The recent budget proposal from the White House aims to eliminate funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which spearheads research and public education regarding the dangers associated with concussions.
Currently, $8.25 million is set aside for such initiatives, but its future hangs in the balance as the CDC already grapples with a $3.59 million cut to its budget.
The Trump Administration Could “Roll Back Decades of Progress” With Proposed Budget Cuts
The ultimate decision rests with Congress, which will finalize the budget bill, leaving the TBI program’s fate uncertain—it could be reassigned to another agency or undergo significant alterations.
Dr. Owen Perlman, a brain injury specialist and board member of the Brain Injury Association of America, warned that these cuts could “roll back decades of progress.”
Additionally, a concussion-prevention initiative called ‘Heads Up,’ which trains youth and high school coaches, athletic trainers, and sports officials, faces potential cuts. A CDC official, speaking to ESPN on the condition of anonymity, indicated that 45 out of the 50 U.S. states currently participate in this program to varying degrees.
“We’re really worried about the hundreds of thousands of coaches who have to take this training,” the official noted. “This is really built in, and we’ve lost the whole team [behind the program].”
Concerns about possible “administration retribution” have led other staffers to remain tight-lipped about the ramifications of these proposed cuts.
The White House has yet to respond to ESPN’s inquiries regarding these developments.
