NCAA Settlement Promises $2.78 Billion to Athletes

The NCAA has filed a detailed settlement agreement in the landmark House v. NCAA case, promising $2.78 billion in back-pay damages to be distributed over 10 years to former Division I athletes dating back to 2016. This settlement introduces a new revenue-sharing model starting in 2025, which will significantly benefit athletes from Power Five conferences, particularly in football and basketball. The settlement also includes new roster-size limits and allows schools to distribute up to 22% of their athletic revenue directly to athletes. However, mid-major programs like Winthrop University are concerned about the financial impact, as the NCAA will reduce their revenue shares over the next decade to pay for the settlement. The agreement also establishes a framework for regulating name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Final approval from the court is still pending.