NCAA Approves Direct Payments to College Athletes

The NCAA has approved significant rule changes that will allow colleges to directly pay athletes, ending the traditional amateurism model. These changes are contingent on court approval of the multibillion-dollar House settlement and include eliminating over 150 current rules, replacing scholarship caps with roster limits, and requiring annual payment reporting. A new clearinghouse will oversee major name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, with an enforcement body ensuring compliance. Payments to athletes at major programs could begin as early as July 1. This transformation follows years of legal and administrative efforts to modernize athlete compensation and rights. The overhaul marks a historic milestone in college sports governance and athlete empowerment.