NCAA, 5 largest conferences in nation agree to pay nearly $2.8 billion to settle antitrust claims – WGAU

The NCAA, along with five conferences, voted Thursday to adopt a settlement that will allow universities to pay athletes directly.

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According to the Associated Press, the NCAA and five conferences have agreed to pay about $2.8 billion to settle antitrust claims. This would allow universities to pay athletes directly beginning with the fall 2025 semester.

The NCAA Board of Governors and leaders of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and Pac-12 voted on the terms of the settlement, ESPN reported.

According to The Washington Post, the settlement covers three antitrust cases and the damages will be divided between current and former athletes.

According to ESPN, Division I athletes who were returning for the 2016 season can receive a portion of the settlement, but they cannot sue the NCAA for possible antitrust violations and must withdraw their complaints in three open antitrust cases. The three open cases are House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA, and Carter v. NCAA.

According to ESPN, the compensation is expected to be paid within ten years.

According to the AP, a federal judge must still approve the deal.