The Gist Pay to Play: The NCAA’s Big Payout Era Begins
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Aug 4, 2025 Gabe Feldman, Director of Tulane’s Sports Law Program and a leading voice in sports law, discusses seismic shifts in college athletics following the NCAA's monumental $2.8 billion settlement. He delves into how schools can now pay athletes directly, the potential for financial disparities among programs, and the implications for Olympic sports amidst Title IX challenges. Feldman also explores the complexities of NIL deals and what these changes mean for the future of athlete rights and fairness in college sports.
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NCAA $20.5M Athlete Payment Cap
- Each Division I school gets a $20.5 million cap to pay current athletes as they see fit.
- Majority of this money (65-70%) is expected to go to football, with less to basketball and minimal to other sports.
NIL Deals Vary in Scrutiny
- NIL deals from companies face less scrutiny while those from boosters undergo strict market value checks.
- Deals exceeding fair market value risk rejection but athletes can appeal through arbitration.
Title IX Challenges to NIL Payments
- Title IX challenges loom as male athletes receive 70%+ of payout while females get far less.
- Courts must decide if NIL money is financial aid requiring proportional distribution under Title IX.