SPOKANE, Wash. — The House v NCAA settlement, finalized Friday, requires the Power Four conferences to share revenue with athletes. Non-power conferences can choose to opt in or out. Based on statements from the Pac-12 commissioner and WSU Athletic Director Anne McCoy, the Pac-12 plans to opt in.
"It's a new day in collegiate athletics," Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said. "This historic moment allows us to maintain what makes college sports special, the development of young individuals through sport, while also evolving to meet today's student-athletes where they are with new opportunities in a manner that provides long-term stability for collegiate athletics. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues as we implement and introduce the future of college sports."
Student athletes can still receive payments from third-party NIL deals, but they’re now reviewed by an independent committee to ensure the deals reflect market value. WSU’s Cougar Collective said they’ll continue to operate as normal and support their student athletes.
“Here’s how much you have to save to pay your taxes, here’s how much you need to save for your IRA and retirement accounts,” Cougar Collective founding board member Tim Brandle said. “This is real life, and we’ve been able to provide student athletes with basically that head start.”
Programs are expected to follow the settlement’s outline for back pay: 75% to football, 15% to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball, and the remaining 5% to all other sports.
This gives a unique advantage to Gonzaga, which doesn’t have a football program.
“Friday’s settlement approval is an important step toward stabilization in Division I athletics, and Gonzaga Athletics remains committed to competing at the highest level,” Athletic Director Chris Standiford said in a statement. “Central to our university’s mission, we look forward to continuing to provide a transformative experience for our student-athletes as they excel in the classroom, in the community and in competition.
Schools will begin distributing funds to athletes starting July 1.
The full interview with Tim Brandle can be viewed below:
