Alright, folks, buckle up because college football looks like it’s about to shift into a new gear. We’re talking about a potential game-changer with the NCAA—money on the table kind of game-changer.
So, here’s the scoop. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors is eyeing some big-time changes to their longstanding stance on amateurism—basically tossing that tradition out the window like a stale Gatorade post-game. And it all ties back to a hefty $2.8 billion settlement in this little thing called the House v. NCAA case.
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty: This lawsuit zeroes in on the NCAA and some power conferences, the SEC among them, challenging how they sealed off the money faucet for athletes who couldn’t earn from their name, image, and likeness—or as we sweetly dub it, NIL. If this court approves the settlement, it could mean a juicy payout for athletes who missed out from 2016 to 2024—basically all the years when NIL earnings were just wishful thinking.
Now, looking to the future around 2025, schools would be allowed to split up to 22% of sports revenue directly with athletes. We’re talking media rights, ticket sales, sponsorships—you name it. Drumroll, please—that could be around $20.5 million each year per school. Not a bad chunk of change, right?
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But wait, it’s not just about the money. The proposal suggests axing 153 rules out of the NCAA Handbook. The goal? Let schools keep a little more of the financial pie and pass the slice to the players who are out there grinding.
Next, there’s the elephant in the room—Title IX. If this revenue-sharing jazz gets the green light, Title IX will definitely be in the conversation. The Department of Education, however, is playin’ it coy on how schools should divvy up the money between male and female athletes to stay within the law. We’ll have to keep an eye on that toss-up.
Now, we’re all just waiting on U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken to give us the final word on this settlement. If she gives it a thumbs-up, expect a seismic shift in college athletics, turning the age-old student-athlete and institution relationship on its head.
In other college football circles, it’s pure transfer portal drama: former 5-star Oklahoma player is coming back to the Sooners, while a former App State and UCLA QB is doing the transfer portal shuffle thanks to Nico Iamaleava’s commitment to UCLA. Speaking of, UCLA gave their quarterback squad a heads-up about the Iamaleava addition—it’s getting spicy!
We’ve also got Lane Kiffin throwing shade on Carson Beck’s alleged $4 million deal over at Miami, and then there’s the buzz on why Jalen Milroe might be the most fascinating draft prospect in 2025.
Feel free to follow @College_Wire on (what used to be) Twitter for all those real-time updates and opinions. Campus sports? It’s not just a game anymore—it’s a full-blown saga. Stay tuned!
