College athletes to be paid

The NCAA and five major athletic conferences have agreed to a $2.78 billion antitrust settlement, allowing thousands of former college athletes to receive payments ranging from a few dollars to over a million. This landmark agreement permits schools to directly compensate athletes, addressing long-standing restrictions on their earnings from media rights and endorsements. Filed in federal court, the settlement outlines how payments will be distributed over the next 10 years, with most funds expected to benefit football and basketball players from power conferences. As part of the agreement, new guidelines will replace existing scholarship limits and regulate third-party payments to athletes. This settlement marks a significant shift in college athletics after years of legal battles challenging NCAA compensation rules. Approval from a judge is still pending for the proposed changes.