Topline
The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Board of Directors approved sweeping changes to its rules Monday that will allow for its Division I athletes to be paid directly by schools, according to multiple outlets, setting the stage for a historic change that still needs to be approved by a district court judge to be fully realized.
A judge is expected to rule on the rule-altering settlement soon. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Key Facts
The board approved the cutting of several rules linked to athlete pay and unpaid amateur sports in the NCAA, according to The Washington Post, which said California-based District Judge Claudia Wilken is expected to soon rule on a singular settlement of three antitrust cases that will clear the way for direct athlete pay.
A total of 153 rules and bylaws will be cut by the NCAA ahead of the potential change allowing athletes to be directly compensated by their schools, Sports Illustrated reported.
Wilken’s decision is expected as soon as this week, the Post reported, adding the NCAA’s rule changes and cutbacks align with the settlement terms and include roster limits and name, image and likeness contract disclosure requirements for athletes with NIL deals exceeding $600.
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Big Number
$1.3 billion. That is how much money the NCAA generated in revenue for the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, with half being distributed back to Division I schools.
Key Background
The massive settlement Wilken will rule on calls for $2.8 billion in back damages to past and current college athletes, according to the Post. The settlement also allows athletes to be paid a capped amount of money by Division I schools and lets them negotiate name, image and likeness contracts with schools while in the recruiting process. The NCAA has faced growing pushback over the lack of direct pay to athletes, resulting in multiple lawsuits from student-athletes over the matter in the last five years. Three of those lawsuits led to the settlement Wilken will soon rule on.
Further Reading
NCAA Proposes Radical Shift In College Sports In Which Athletes Can Be Paid—Here’s How It Could Work (Forbes)
NCAA votes to allow schools to pay athletes — as long as a judge approves (The Washington Post)
