NCAA’s $2.8 Billion Settlement Sees New Deadline in Player Compensation Case

San Francisco, CA – The ongoing legal battle over player compensation and college athletics took another unexpected turn on Monday night. A federal judge has given attorneys involved in the $2.8 billion settlement an extension to file “summary judgement and Daubert briefing.” The new deadline is now set for June 27, 2023, which pushes the timeline for a resolution even closer to the anticipated revenue sharing payments for athletes, expected to start on July 1.

The settlement has seen some compromises made regarding roster limits, an area of concern that the judge has previously expressed. Under the revised agreement made on May 7, schools can reinstate players who were cut during the 2024-25 academic year without those players counting against new roster limits. This compromise is aimed at reassuring the judge about the impact of roster restrictions, which could lead to around 5,000 players being cut from sports programs across the NCAA.

Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California has emphasized the need to “grandfather” current players into this settlement, which reflects her commitment to protecting student-athletes under the proposed changes. However, there are no guarantees that these reinstated players will maintain their spots on their respective teams, as the decision lies with the individual schools.

Wilken previously expressed her approval of most aspects of the deal in October but has delayed final approval twice, specifically citing concerns over roster limits. The judge has required the parties involved to create a plan for grandfathering current players into the settlement, resulting in a two-week negotiation between the parties.

If the judge declines to approve the settlement, the case may go to trial, which would be a daunting prospect for the NCAA, already facing significant legal challenges over student-athlete compensation. Furthermore, if the settlement is not approved, schools may look to state governments for legal pathways to pay players directly. Under the preliminary settlement, schools would start sharing up to $20.5 million in revenue with their athletes, alongside awarding $2.8 billion in back payments to former athletes who played between 2016 and 2024.

This landmark case initially started in 2020 when several student-athletes, including Arizona State swimmer Grant House, filed suit against the NCAA and Power Five conferences over restrictions on revenue sharing. As the June deadline approaches, the wait continues for a clear resolution on the future of college athletics and how it compensates its athletes.