logo
NCAA files revised revenue-sharing settlement addressing judge's objection on roster limits

NCAA files revised revenue-sharing settlement addressing judge's objection on roster limits

USA Today08-05-2025

NCAA files revised revenue-sharing settlement addressing judge's objection on roster limits
Show Caption
Hide Caption
How coaches salaries and the NIL bill affects college football
Dan Wolken breaks down the annual college football coaches compensation package to discuss salaries and how the NIL bill affects them.
Sports Pulse
Lawyers for the NCAA and for the athletes involved in the proposed settlement of three athlete-compensation antitrust cases against the NCAA and Power Five conferences made filings with a federal judge on Wednesday, May 7 that they said address the one concern she had said was preventing her from granting final approval to the deal.
The issue involves around roster limits that had been set to go into effect immediately as part of the agreement. On April 23, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken said that the immediate implementation of roster limits made the proposed settlement 'not fair' because thousands of athletes who are supposed to be benefiting from the deal stood to lose their places on teams after the current school year.
Wilken gave the sides two weeks to address her concerns, and in a new filing, the plaintiffs' lawyers wrote that they and the NCAA have agreed to arrangement under which: 'any athlete who would have lost their roster spot (or a promised roster spot) for the 2025-2026 academic year due to the immediate implementation of roster limits will be exempt from any roster limits at any Division I institution, for the duration of their college athletics careers.'
However, Laura Reathaford, a lawyer for one objector, told USA TODAY Sports she will be filing a separate brief – an indication that objectors will be continuing to try to make their case with Wilken.
In her order two weeks ago, Wilken asked that Reathaford and two other lawyers for objectors be included in discussions about revisions to the roster limits that also were included a mediator and lawyers for the plaintiffs, the NCAA and the Power Five conferences that also are defendants in the case.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

$1.3 Million Quarterback Makes Major NIL Move Before Freshman Season at Alabama
$1.3 Million Quarterback Makes Major NIL Move Before Freshman Season at Alabama

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

$1.3 Million Quarterback Makes Major NIL Move Before Freshman Season at Alabama

There's still plenty of good in the world of college football. With NIL opportunities changing the game, stories like this one are worth celebrating. Keelon Russell, the No. 2 ranked quarterback in the class of 2025 and the 2024 Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year, made headlines this week for a heartfelt gesture toward his mother. Advertisement It's a great reminder that beyond the field, these young athletes are using their platforms to support their families, give back and lead by example. The NIL-focused outlet On3 shared a photo of Russell's generous surprise: "NEW: Alabama QB Keelon Russell gifted his mom a new Mercedes Benz with NIL dollars." Russell's current NIL valuation stands at $1.3 million. His first partnership was with Panini America. He ranks 37th among all college football players in NIL valuation, and 2nd among freshmen behind Michigan's Bryce Underwood. Across all college athletes, he's currently 78th according to On3's rankings. Advertisement Russell will enter fall camp with a shot at winning the starting quarterback job under new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. He'll be competing with experienced returner Ty Simpson and promising youngster Austin Mack. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12).Gary Cosby/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Back in February, Russell spoke with On3 Sports about his focus on staying grounded amid rising expectations and NIL attention: "The best advice was to understand what's coming towards you,' Russell said. 'Understand that your profile is your profile. Understand that your name is your name. Building that is the most successful thing that you can do, especially with how the NIL space is getting bigger. The performances of the platforms are getting way more advanced. NIL is something that takes away from the aspects of football. Somebody told me, focus on the key things." Advertisement Russell originally committed to SMU, but after a standout senior season at Duncanville High School in Texas, he flipped his commitment to Alabama. One of the key reasons? The development of Michael Penix Jr. under DeBoer at Washington, a path Russell hopes to follow. This story of Russell's gift to his mother stands out as an awesome example of how NIL is already helping student-athletes make life-changing decisions for themselves and their families. Related: LSU Football Makes Historic Academic Announcement Under Brian Kelly Related: Urban Meyer Calls for Rule That Would Get Michigan Coach Fired

Obstruction rule creates Women's College World Series more controversy in Texas win
Obstruction rule creates Women's College World Series more controversy in Texas win

USA Today

time4 hours ago

  • USA Today

Obstruction rule creates Women's College World Series more controversy in Texas win

Rules and the application of those rules have gotten out of hand in collegiate athletics. In the fall, we're constantly debating what is and isn't targeting. In the spring, it's the obstruction rule in softball. The application of the rule has been incredibly inconsistent and often misapplied by umpires throughout the sport. It was once again poorly applied in game one of the Women's College World Series championship series between Texas and Texas Tech. With one out in the top of the fifth inning and the score tied at zero, Texas Tech's Logan Halleman attempted to steal second base. She was initially ruled out, and she was out by a mile, but on review, the umpiring crew overturned the call based on obstruction. The argument was that the short stop's foot was in the baseline. However, Leighann Goode received the ball just as Halleman was beginning her slide into second. Goode applied the tag more than a foot away from the base and did so without any other part of her body coming into contact with Halleman. There's literally no better way to play that than the way Goode did. But, just for reference, here is the obstruction rule from the NCAA. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle "The change is intended to simplify the rule covering when a defensive player impedes the progress of any runner who is legally running bases on a live ball. "Under the revised rule, it is obstruction if the defensive player, while not in possession of the ball, does the following: Blocks any part of the leading edge of first, second or third base or home plate. Otherwise blocks the runner from advancing or returning to a base. "However, defensive players will not be called for obstruction if they are in possession of the ball or if they are making a legitimate reaction to the trajectory of the ball after it is thrown. Additionally, if in the umpire's judgment the runner would have clearly been out, then obstruction is ignored." Later in the inning, Texas Tech took a 1-0 lead on a two-out single from Mihiya Davis. Could it be argued that it was obstruction? Sure. However, that's not the spirit of obstruction. The idea behind obstruction was to protect the players. Goode did that on her own with the way she received the ball on the stolen base attempt. She wasn't blocking the base. She wasn't preventing Halleman from reaching second. And it was clear that Halleman was out. This isn't what obstruction was intended for. It ultimately didn't matter as Texas scored two in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead and win game one. However, it very well could have mattered. That could have been the second out of the inning, which may have prevented Tech from taking the 1-0 lead. Texas got the last laugh as the Longhorns Softball X (formerly known as Twitter) took a jab at the obstruction call. And it isn't just this game. Obstruction has been front and center throughout the NCAA Tournament, getting in the way of some key moments in games. As Patty Gasso called for the NCAA to look into the way they handle the Women's College World Series semifinal schedule, there should be a call from coaches everywhere to overhaul or get rid of the obstruction rule altogether. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X@john9williams.

Florida softball's first-year standout named NFCA Freshman of the Year
Florida softball's first-year standout named NFCA Freshman of the Year

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Florida softball's first-year standout named NFCA Freshman of the Year

Florida softball outfielder Taylor Shumaker was named the NFCA Freshman of the Year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced Tuesday night at the 2025 NCAA Women's College World Series banquet in Oklahoma City. The first-year standout was honored with the award based on a unanimous decision, making her the second-ever Gator to win it. The other to achieve the same accolade was outfielder Amanda Lorenz in 2016. Advertisement Shumaker is batting .389 and leads the team with 22 home runs, 72 runs scored, 17 doubles, and an .818 slugging percentage heading into the Women's College World Series; her 86 RBI so far this spring are tied for the best mark in the NCAA. She has also drawn 40 walks and is 18-for-19 in stolen base attempts. The outfielder from Fullerton, California, is currently tied for the Florida single-season record in both home runs and RBI. The NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award was created in 2014 to honor outstanding athletic achievement among Division I freshmen softball student-athletes. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Softball: Taylor Shumaker named NFCA Freshman of the Year

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store