Latest news with #HousevNCAA
Forbes
09-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The College Football Season Is Upon Us. What's Changed?
This college football season promises to be unlike any before, due to several significant and unprecedented changes. In general, changes in college athletics are happening so fast that the business side of college sports is barely recognizable compared to just five years ago. College football, in particular, is expected to look very different, both on and off the field. What are some of the key changes that will shape the 2025 season? Settlement, Revenue Sharing, Scholarships, and The Portal: College Football's New Reality After a pivotal court decision this summer, college athletics have entered a new era, marking the first academic year following the House v. NCAA Settlement. For those who are not familiar, on June 6, 2025, the U.S. District Courts approved a landmark settlement that essentially allows college athletic programs to directly compensate student-athletes for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The ruling marks a milestone in college athletics, as it effectively ends the amateurism ideal and transitions to a professional model. The case, which resolved multiple antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and its power conferences, included back damages ordering the NCAA and these conferences to pay $2.8 billion to student-athletes who competed between 2016 and 2024. The largest share of the return is expected to go to football and men's basketball players, the primary revenue-generating sports. Another major development resulting from the court decision is the establishment of a new 10-year revenue-sharing model in college sports. For the 2025-26 academic year, college athletic departments may now distribute up to $20.5 million in NIL money to their student-athletes, with an estimated 75 percent of the funds expected to go to football, according to USA Today. These new benefits for student-athletes would be in addition to the existing forms of assistance they currently receive, such as free tuition, room and board, grants, academic support, nutritional resources, medical and mental health insurance, and other services. Along with the revenue-sharing feature, the new model will include a significant increase in scholarships across NCAA sports. Notably, football saw its scholarship cap raise from 85 to a roster limit of 105, providing athletic departments greater flexibility with recruitment and talent development. This shift is expected to enhance roster depth and recruiting power, while also increasing financial and resource demands. In addition to these legislative changes, the NCAA Transfer Portal witnessed a record total of 3,400 FBS football players enter during the December and April transfer windows, according to ESPN. College football continues to be a transient environment. As a result, coaches and administrators are scrambling to adapt. For several college football coaches, The NCAA Transfer Portal poses significant challenges with regard to continuity, recruitment, and roster management. Also, Power Four conference football coaches tend to favor a single transfer portal window. The April window is strongly opposed due to interference with spring practices and tampering concerns. During the SEC annual meetings week in late May, Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart voiced his concerns about the April timeframe. 'You think tampering is a problem? Put that portal in April and see what teams do in January, February, and March," reported by ESPN. Smart's starting quarterback from last season, Carson Beck, transferred to Miami in 2025. In the age of The Transfer Portal, teams continue to adapt their approaches and attempt to navigate its complexities. Playoff Updates, NFL Influence in Leadership, and the Preseason Top 5 Teams Besides off-field legal reforms and business developments, the College Football Playoff (CFP) structure underwent changes as well. Previously, the four highest-ranked conference championship teams automatically received first round byes in the 12-team tournament. For the 2025-26 season, there will still be 12 playoff teams, and all five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed a place in the playoff. However, the top four teams in the final ranking by the CFP Selection Committee, regardless of conference, will now receive a first-round bye. The rationale for this adjustment is that the best performing teams in the regular season will benefit from this advantage. Shifting the focus from the legislative side to the football field, college football welcomes NFL legend Bill Belichick, who begins his tenure as head coach at the University of North Carolina. Long-time NFL executive Michael Lombardi joins him at North Carolina as the football team's general manager (GM), a newly created position. With full details of his contract recently released on UNC's athletic department website, Lombardi signed a three-year contract worth $1.5 million per season in July—an agreement that took effect this past December. The GM position for college football programs is a recent development and increasingly resembles professional sports. Frank Reich, Stanford's interim head football coach, will also be coaching in college for the first time after playing quarterback for 13 seasons in the NFL and coaching for another 18 seasons in the league. From a competitive standpoint, the SEC and Big Ten conferences remain the strongest. Since 2019, the national champion has come from one of these two conferences. According to the Coaches Poll, college football's preseason top five ranked teams are: 1) Texas, 2) Ohio State, 3) Penn State, 4) Georgia, and 5) Notre Dame. The Associated Press (AP) Poll's preseason rankings will be revealed on Monday August 11th. An exciting early season matchup features Texas traveling to Columbus to play Ohio State at the Big Horseshoe, potentially showcasing a game between the top-two ranked teams. The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. With significant changes in college athletics both on and off the field, this fall football season promises to bring plenty of excitement and challenges for all stakeholders involved.
New York Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
College Sports Commission clears way for collectives to continue NIL deal-making
The College Sports Commission issued revised guidance Thursday that restores the ability for collectives to make name, image and likeness (NIL) deals with athletes, after its original directive drew the ire of lawyers and those who run the booster-fueled businesses. The CSC, a recently launched enforcement agency run by the power conferences, oversees the revenue-sharing system being implemented in college sports as part of a $2.8 billion antitrust lawsuit settlement. Advertisement The plaintiffs' attorneys in House v. NCAA took issue with the CSC's July 10 guidance related to financial agreements between collectives and athletes and whether they could meet the 'valid business purposes' standard needed to be cleared. Attorneys claimed the original guidance violated terms of the settlement agreement by unfairly restricting NIL compensation to athletes and threatened to go back to the court with their complaints. Last week, lawyers on both sides reached an agreement to revise the language in a way that would allow collectives to be treated like any other business, though details still needed to be worked out. The new guidance allows collective deals as long as the athlete is promoting 'for profit' goods or services to the public. The first guidance essentially invalidated the collective business model and allowed for any deal from a collective to be denied. Collective operators railed against possibly being shut down by the CSC and the stage seemed set for a legal challenge. Now, the deals will be scrutinized individually. 'Whether or not payments to student-athletes by collectives are permissible under the Settlement will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis — first by the College Sports Commission and then by a neutral arbitrator if the CSC determination is challenged by the student athlete,' the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC and Pac-12, along with plaintiffs' attorneys, said in a joint statement. 'NCAA rules continue to prohibit Associated Entities from making payments for play in contrast to permitted NIL payments.' The NIL Go clearinghouse, run by the accounting firm Deloitte, must approve all third-party NIL deals of more than $600. The two main requirements for those deals are that they're for a 'valid business purpose' and within a fair-market 'range of compensation.' The goal is to prevent schools from utilizing booster-driven entities to funnel payments to recruits and transfers as a workaround to the $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap for 2025-26. Advertisement In the four years since the NCAA lifted its ban on college athletes cashing in on their fame, collectives affiliated with specific schools have made hundreds of millions in deals. They pool funds from donors and boosters and use them to license the NIL rights of specific athletes in exchange for things like public appearances, social media posts and autograph signings. College sports leaders have long lamented that those deals are de facto pay-for-play inducements, not legitimate endorsement deals. The settlement cleared the way for schools to directly pay athletes, but those payments are intended to be NIL compensation. The CSC sent a new guidance memo on Thursday to the more than 300 Division I schools that have opted to take part in revenue sharing. 'The CSC's 'for profit' inquiry focuses on whether the sale of goods or services is for profit and not whether the entity itself is operating at a profit or a loss at any given time,' the memo said. 'As part of this inquiry, the CSC may require student-athletes or the entities with whom they seek to enter NIL agreements to provide information and documentation to establish compliance with the requirements, including the entity's efforts to profit from the deal.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Schools can now directly pay college athletes after landmark $2.8 billion settlement
College athletes will undergo yet another historic change. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the $2.8 billion settlement in the House v. NCAA case on Friday, which allows schools to directly compensate student-athletes. Advertisement Under the new agreement, each participating Division I school can distribute up to $20.5 million annually to athletes, with that cap increasing over the next decade. The NCAA logo at the Division I Men's Golf Championships in 2025. NCAA Photos via Getty Images Moreover, it will provide $2.8 billion in payback to former athletes dating back to 2016, addressing past restrictions on NIL, to some extent. Judge Wilken's approval in court also addressed concerns regarding roster limits that would've likely impacted walk-on athletes. The settlement introduces the 'Designated Student-Athletes' tag, which is intended to allow those impacted by roster changes to return or transfer without worrying about being penalized. Advertisement NCAA President Charlie Baker discussed the settlement in a lengthy open letter. 'Many looked to April's hearing about the House settlement as a culmination of sorts, but the court's final approval of the settlement in fact marks a new beginning for Division I student-athletes and for the NCAA,' Baker wrote. 'For several years, Division I members crafted well-intentioned rules and systems to govern financial benefits from schools and name, image and likeness opportunities, but the NCAA could not easily enforce these for several reasons. 'The result was a sense of chaos: instability for schools, confusion for student-athletes and too often litigation. Sometimes member schools even supported that litigation — some of which spurred hastily imposed court orders upending the rules,' he continued. The NCAA logo is shown on signage before the Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championship held at University Nexus Center on March 30, 2025 in Utica, New York. NCAA Photos via Getty Images Baker additionally acknowledged the challenges ahead involving more change, noting: Advertisement 'Going forward, the defendant conferences will be responsible for implementing several elements of the settlement, including the design and enforcement of the annual 22.5 percent cap (approximately $20.5 million in year one) for financial benefits a Division I school may direct to student-athletes,' he outlined. 'In addition, the court maintains jurisdiction over the implementation of the settlement, and the plaintiffs will continue to track progress.' Baker hailed this as positive, adding, 'The defendant conferences are also responsible for launching and enforcing a series of rules regarding the third-party NIL contracts student-athletes may enter into. With these reforms, along with scholarships and other benefits, student-athletes at many schools will be able to receive nearly 50 percent of all athletics department revenue. That is a tremendously positive change and one that was long overdue.' Baker concluded by pointing out that 'change at this scale is never easy.' Changes are set to take effect beginning on July 1.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 5 Best Ways Student-Athletes Can Navigate the New College Landscape
The 5 Best Ways Student-Athletes Can Navigate the New College Landscape originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The pivotal decision has been finalized. Effective July 1st, the era of purported clandestine and informal transactions will conclude, paving the way for a more enriching and prosperous period for all stakeholders within the realm of collegiate athletics. This means student-athletes now have a seat at the table. Advertisement While the decisions made during the historic weekend of the House v. NCAA settlement being finalized may not directly impact the fans, both coaches and athletes are now subject to entirely revised regulations. Notably, players will be compelled to navigate this intricate business environment with limited expertise in the field. Fortunately, I'm here to provide assistance. We have compiled several recommendations for thriving student-athletes, designed to not only facilitate their success during their collegiate tenure but also equip them for future triumph. Here's five home run hitters to get any college athlete started in the near future. Having played for Deion Sanders, some of these are ingrained in his keys to success. 1. Treat Yourself as a Business Embrace the role of a business and conduct a self-assessment to enhance your brand's image. Analyze your current social media presence and determine how you project yourself to potential clients or decision makers. Identify areas for improvement and ensure that your brand aligns with the values and aspirations of other businesses. There are businesses looking to invest in your name, image and likeness; make sure you are someone who they would be proud to have represent them. Advertisement 2. Not All Deals are Beneficial As a business, not every opportunity presented to you will necessarily be a favorable investment. Simply because a potential partner reaches out to establish a business relationship does not imply that you are obligated to accept it. Prior to entering into any business deal, conduct a comprehensive background check on the involved businesses, assess their offerings, their expectations, and evaluate the potential long-term impact of the agreement. These are essential factors to consider when determining whether a business opportunity is a sound investment. If the terms of the agreement do not align with your business objectives, exercise good judgment and decline the opportunity. 3. Be Financially Responsible Save and invest. Create a plan in which you have the money you are making in college makes you even more money. Using different apps and websites ( is a good example) will allow you to create an investment portfolio and teaches the basic ins-and-outs of investing. They also have courses and presentations for more intricate teachings about investing, as well as live updates on how well your portfolio is doing. Begin building your future success, and let your money work for you. Even if you choose not to invest, have a plan in which you are saving more money than you are spending, and over time you will realize just how well off you will be. Advertisement 4. Understand Your Value As an athlete, you possess a unique value to your organization, encompassing your coaches, teammates, staff, and even yourself. It is crucial to comprehend your worth within the organization and actively seek opportunities to enhance your contributions. Simple acts of kindness and courtesy can significantly impact your value to others. By becoming an integral part of the organization, ensuring your vital role, and demonstrating your irreplaceability, you can enhance your value both within and outside the organization. Remember that your actions and presence may be observed by others, and it is essential to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor. 5. Your Craft is Your Selling Point Ultimately, the most effective strategy for elevating one's value, brand reputation, and influence lies in excelling during sporting events. Sports serve as a means of enhancing one's image and often serve as the initial introduction to businesses when interacting with athletes. As a student-athlete, academic and athletic pursuits should be prioritized, and this mindset should be applied to business endeavors. By diligently pursuing team goals, opportunities for success will naturally arise. Advertisement As a former student-athlete myself, I wish to see everyone learn to not only create success on the field/court, but outside of their respective sports as well. The new NIL era will allow student-athletes the best chance to thrive both now and in the future, and I hope these useful tips aid them on their journey as they learn to navigate this new and intriguing world of college athletics. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
19-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Millions made available for Florida universities to pay student-athletes
Pointing to a need to avoid a disadvantage in recruiting athletes, Florida university-system leaders Wednesday made up to $22.5 million available for each state university to share revenues with athletes. The system's Board of Governors approved the funding, which will be available annually at that level as a loan or transfer for the next three years. It is designed to help carry out a new revenue-sharing model with athletes under a national legal settlement in a case known as House v. NCAA. Will help put universities into a position to compete for talent It comes amid massive change in college sports, in part because of athletes now being able to cash in through "name, image and likeness" deals. Traditionally, college athletes could not be paid. Board of Governors member Alan Levine said the money approved Wednesday "takes some of the pressure off the donors" now funding name, image and likeness deals and ensures "we put our universities in as advantageous a position as possible to compete." The settlement, approved June 6 by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California, in part establishes a 10-year model for NCAA Division I schools to expand rosters and directly pay athletes for their names, images and likenesses. "They're already out there trying to sign contracts with these athletes," Levine said. "And if we don't act, there's a really good chance that our institutions will be severely disadvantaged. I don't think anybody wants that." Spending is capped per school Payments, expected to go primarily to students who play football and men's basketball, would be in addition to currently allowed individual name, image and likeness deals, where money is often raised and distributed through what are known as "collectives" and other organizations tied to schools. Under the settlement, schools that opt in to the plan could spend up to a capped amount on direct payments and roster-expanding scholarships. For the 2025-2026 school year, the cap would be set at $20.5 million per school. Peter Collins, chairman of the Florida State University Board of Trustees, said not every Florida school will reach the cap. "I don't know for sure everybody else around the table, but I know we will, because everybody that we play is spending in the cap," Collins said. The cap is based on calculations involving media, ticket and sponsorship revenue at schools in what are known as the "Power 5" conferences --- the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Southeastern Conference and Pac-12 --- and at Notre Dame. The additional $2 million being offered to schools would cover back-pay of certain athletes who played before name, image and likeness deals became legal in 2021.
