Major Change in College Athletics: NCAA Legal Settlement Approved

Oklahoma City, June 9th, 2025 – A historic legal settlement has been approved, leading to a big shift in college athletics. The House v. NCAA agreement ends three federal lawsuits that accused the NCAA of restricting college athletes from getting their fair share of profits. This settlement allows colleges to directly pay players an annual total of up to $20.5 million. This brings college sports into a whole new era, turning the spotlight on athletes’ rights regarding their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Governor Kevin Stitt expressed his support for this change, saying, “We’re supportive of NIL, we think players should be able to monetize their efforts for sure.” Stitt emphasized the competitive nature of college sports, particularly within leagues like the SEC and Big 12. “I know we’re trying to keep up with the Jones’,” he said, highlighting the need for schools in Oklahoma to attract top talent.

Stitt also noted the disruption caused by easy transfers between schools and stressed the importance of making NIL function like a contract. “There needs to be some parameters around that,” he added, indicating a legislative effort to address this issue in the future.

In addition to the settlement, Stitt hinted at the potential for legalizing sports betting in Oklahoma, an idea he’s been pushing for years. He believes that a free market approach to sports betting would ensure that anyone wanting to operate a sports book should be able to apply for a license. He aims to maximize the state’s financial gains, saying, “I want to make a lot of money.”

While proposals to legalize sports betting were put forward in the past legislative session, they ended up being stalled. However, they could be revisited in 2026, as Stitt continues to pursue this opportunity before his term at the Capitol concludes.

This settlement and the discussions around sports betting mark a significant moment for college athletics, reshaping not just how players are compensated, but also how the entire system operates moving into the future.