In recent developments from San Francisco, the NCAA and the Power 4 conferences, along with the Pac-12, submitted a revised version of a settlement aimed at resolving ongoing antitrust lawsuits. This came after U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken requested changes to the proposed roster limits included in the settlement.
Judge Wilken, who will ultimately determine if a new era in college athletics can start this summer, pointed out that the initial proposal for roster limits did not protect the student-athletes as intended. The NCAA’s updated proposal simplifies the situation: while roster limits will exist under the revised settlement, athletes already on rosters for 2024-25 or those promised spots for 2025-26 will be exempt from these limits.
This means teams may exceed the roster limits to keep current players or incoming freshmen, but schools are not obligated to retain students who have already been cut. Additionally, transferring players will not count against the roster limits, providing more flexibility for student-athletes. However, critics argue that this does not go far enough in safeguarding the rights of student-athletes.
The objectors to the House settlement have voiced strong opposition against the revisions. Steve Molo, a prominent attorney, emphasized that the amended settlement fails to meet the necessary objectives, arguing for a broader revision that would allow all athletes on a roster to be exempt throughout their college careers. Other attorneys echoed Molo’s sentiments, stressing that the current proposal is inadequate in protecting student-athletes and that any athlete cut should not face retribution.
In response to these objections, the NCAA and Power conferences face a deadline to submit their rebuttal. Whatever outcome arises from this process may dramatically influence how college athletics operate, possibly ushering in a new era for student-athletes.
