NCAA Settlement to Allow Direct Athlete Payments Gains Preliminary Approval

A federal judge has preliminarily approved a $2.78 billion settlement that could transform college sports by enabling schools to share revenue directly with athletes.

Judge Claudia Wilken's preliminary approval is a critical step toward finalizing the settlement, with a final hearing set for April 7, 2025.
The settlement includes a $21.5 million annual revenue-sharing pool for athletes at major schools, starting in the fall of 2025.
Former athletes from 2016 onward can claim a portion of the $2.576 billion set aside for past NIL restrictions.
The settlement aims to regulate future NIL deals and replace scholarship caps with roster limits, raising concerns about Title IX compliance.
While the deal marks progress, objections remain over restrictions on boosters and potential impacts on future athletes' earning potential.