The NCAA is looking to make some changes to its scholarship rules and roster limits in the upcoming 2025-26 season. If approved, the House vs. NCAA settlement will allow schools to start paying athletes directly, along with dictating how many players will be on each roster.
With the new set of rules, schools will be able to offer scholarships to every player on their roster. Previously, there was a roster cap in place based on the sport. This is huge because it changes how each school builds their roster. Sports like football, basketball, and volleyball only offer full scholarships, but this rule allows for partial scholarships. The amount of space on the roster would not be unlimited but rather increased.
Judge Claudia Wilken held a hearing on April 7, but had several concerns about the proposed rule. That was the projected date for the long-awaited settlement to be approved. Wilken made a preliminary approval in October but has delayed the final ruling twice because of concerns about the proposal. If Wilkens does not approve of the settlement, it could be sent to trial.
For schools, there is still a chance for approval at the state level. The settlement comes in at $2.8 billion, with players looking to participate in a share of $20.5 million from the media revenues being offered to each school. This is set to begin on July 1.
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House v. NCAA started in 2020 after Arizona State swimmer Grant House and TCU women's basketball player Sedona Price filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA and the five power conferences. The lawsuit sought to get Division I players paid who played before the current NIL era.
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For now, this is still just a proposal that is waiting for further action. It could extraordinarily change with how schools handle athletics. Division I schools would have even more on the table than NIL money. Will schools stick to the NCAA guidelines if this proposal is approved? This could change college Division I sports in the long run. Either way, it's in the process of happening.