South Dakota Sues NCAA Over Settlement Dispute

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA concerning a proposed $2.8 billion settlement designed to compensate athletes from the 'Power Four' conferences. The complaint, representing South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, alleges that the settlement unfairly imposes a disproportionate financial burden on smaller schools, which are not responsible for the conduct leading to the settlement. Jackley argues that the settlement discriminates against female athletes by restricting their share to less than 10%. The lawsuit comes amid concerns that the settlement could collapse, as a federal judge recently denied preliminary approval. Jackley stresses the need for equitable treatment of all athletes, emphasizing that the financial responsibility should rest with the conferences that generated the majority of the damages. The South Dakota Board of Regents supports the lawsuit, highlighting fairness in the distribution of settlement funds.