South Dakota, NCAA Settle Legal Dispute Over $2.8 Billion Payout

South Dakota has settled its lawsuit against the NCAA, which challenged the disproportionate financial burden placed on non-Power Four schools by the NCAA's $2.8 billion antitrust settlement. The agreement will reduce the share of the settlement costs borne by schools like South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota by 33%, with the NCAA allocating $55 million from its budget surplus to help offset damages. The settlement also ensures that funds from the DI women’s basketball fund will not be affected, and secures the continued hosting of NCAA championship events in South Dakota. The state had argued that non-Power Four Division I schools would have unfairly shouldered about $1 billion of the total settlement, with South Dakota schools alone facing $8 million in losses over ten years. The finalized agreement allows for continued collaboration between the state and NCAA on future cost reductions.