NCAA Settlement Includes $2.8 Billion Fund

Attorneys for plaintiffs in a landmark $2.8 billion settlement against the NCAA have requested a federal judge to approve nearly $525 million in legal fees and expenses related to three antitrust cases concerning athlete compensation. The settlement, which has received preliminary approval from U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, would allow Division I schools to directly pay athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness, with an anticipated initial cap of $20 to $23 million for the 2025-26 academic year. Additionally, the plaintiffs' legal team seeks annual permissions for up to $250 million more in fees over a decade, with total compensation potentially hitting $750 million. The settlement aims to reshape college sports by eliminating traditional scholarship limits and is set for a fairness hearing in April 2025. The NCAA has denied wrongdoing, and any appeals could delay the settlement's final resolution.