Are University Athletes About to Earn a Big Payday?

The N.C.A.A. has agreed to a $2.8 billion class-action settlement that would pay student athletes for their participation in college sports. This marks a significant departure from the previous designation of student athletes as amateurs. The proposed settlement includes a 10-year period during which athletes would be entitled to $2.8 billion in damages. Additionally, starting in the fall of 2025, schools could have approximately $20 million annually to distribute among their student athletes. However, concerns remain regarding the potential for unfairness and the distribution of funds between different sports programs and genders. Schools that do not participate in major football conferences also worry about subsidizing the settlement.