NCAA Approves Coach Challenge, Flagrant Foul Rule Changes for 2025-26 Season

The NCAA has approved several rule changes for men's college basketball for the 2025-26 season, including the introduction of a coach’s challenge to review out-of-bounds calls, basket interference/goaltending, and restricted-area defender violations, provided the challenging team has a timeout available. The rules also introduce a Flagrant 1 foul for contact to the groin and clarify basket interference when players use the rim for advantage, aiming to improve game flow and reduce physicality. Meanwhile, a major legal settlement in the House v. NCAA case has led to draft legislation in Congress that would grant the NCAA broad antitrust protections, prohibit classifying college athletes as employees, and establish a revenue-sharing cap of $20.5 million for schools. This cap will affect programs like North Carolina, which must now adjust its previously ambitious $14 million NIL initiative amid increased scrutiny and compliance requirements, including a clearinghouse for NIL contracts over $600. While the settlement aims to create a more regulated NIL environment and reduce rogue booster spending, it also raises concerns about widening the gap between larger and smaller programs and potential legal challenges such as Title IX lawsuits. Overall, these changes mark a significant shift in college sports governance, athlete compensation, and game administration.