The 125th college football meeting between the Army and Navy on Dec. 14, 2024, was a riveting upset. The memorable photos were not set on the field, but in the Northwest Stadium boxes as President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune peered over the crowd.

The presence of these prominent Republicans served as a fresh reminder of the conservative direction the country will likely take in 2025 and how their agenda will impact the multibillion-dollar college athletics sector.