Financial Shifts and Settlements
A federal judge approved a settlement allowing colleges to pay athletes millions, marking a significant shift from the traditional amateur model to a more professionalized system.
The settlement, stemming from a lawsuit by Arizona State swimmer Grant House, permits up to $20.5 million per school for athlete payments in the next year and a total of $2.7 billion over a decade for former players.
Impact and Oversight Changes
This major overhaul affects nearly all of the 's 1,100 member schools and 500,000 athletes, with significant implications for recruitment and program adjustments.
The agreement shifts oversight from the NCAA to the four largest conferences, affecting decision-making, especially regarding the financially critical College Football Playoff.