College Sports Archives

Hearing begins for $2.8 billion NCAA settlement, could lock in seismic changes for college sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge has opened the final hearing for a landmark $2.8 billion settlement that will impact every corner of college athletics by saying she will not be granting formal approval on Monday. The settlement calls for paying more than $2.7 billion in damages to athletes who say the NCAA and five biggest conferences prevented them from earning money off their celebrity status. It also would clear the way for each schools to begin sharing up to $20.5 million with their athletes.… Continue Reading

College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz as NCAA ally

WASHINGTON (AP) — The NCAA’s yearslong efforts to get lawmakers to address myriad problems in college sports could pay off in the new, Republican-controlled Congress. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is set to take over as chair of the powerful Commerce Committee. He says a college sports bill will be a top priority, accusing Democrats of dragging their feet on needed reforms. But he still needs Democratic support for any bill to pass the necessary 60-vote threshold in the Senate, and that means some compromise with lawmakers who are more concerned about athlete welfare than giving the NCAA more authority.… Continue Reading

College athletes are getting paid and fans are starting to see a growing share of the bill

Winning at big-time college sports has never been free. But in a rapidly changing era in which players are allowed to earn money, it’s never been more clear that fans will be picking up a bigger part of the tab. Athletic directors are making that clear, by sending letters to boosters detailing the increase in expenses that will come once many schools start sharing revenue with players under the terms of a lawsuit settlement. At other schools, ticket prices could be going up while others are adding fees to tuition to help cover the costs.… Continue Reading

NCAA’s $2.78 billion settlement with colleges to allow athlete payments gets preliminary approval

A judge has given preliminary approval to the $2.78 billion legal settlement that figures to transform college sports. U.S District Judge Claudia Wilken released an order Monday setting a timeline for a deal that would put millions of dollars into the pockets of college athletes, who can begin applying for payment on Oct. 18. A final hearing is set for April 2025. If finalized, the deal would allow the biggest schools to establish a pool of about $21.5 million in the first year to distribute to athletes, who would still be able to cut name, image and likeness deals with outside groups.… Continue Reading

Tennessee football’s 10% talent fee opens discussion of how many schools and sports will follow

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Tennessee’s announcement of a 10% talent fee on 2025 football season tickets to help pay players could have been considered inevitable in the still-evolving era of name, image and likeness compensation. Especially with revenue going directly to players likely in the fall of 2025. It nonetheless sent shock waves throughout the sport and could spur other Power Four conference programs to follow suit. The question is whether even diehard fans are willing to absorb another surcharge, though this one could directly impact on-field talent.… Continue Reading