LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State University (NM State) has officially opted into the House v. NCAA settlement, which sets a new framework for compensating student-athletes. This decision, confirmed by acting athletic director Amber Burdge, signals a significant step forward not only for the university but also for its student-athletes. Burdge shared this information via email, stating, “NM State is proud to opt in to the terms of the House v. NCAA settlement, as this is the right decision for our institution and, most importantly, our student-athletes.”
The House v. NCAA settlement was first proposed in May 2024 and received preliminary approval from Judge Claudia Wilken on October 7, 2024. With a final approval hearing set for April 7, 2025, it is widely expected that the settlement will be officially approved. Schools across the country faced a deadline of March 1 to decide whether they would join this agreement.
This settlement marks a fundamental change in how student-athletes are compensated, with a total of $2.78 billion designated for current and former student-athletes over the next decade. The funds will be distributed based on a structured model with certain percentages allocated to specific sports. NM State is estimated to receive around $20.5 million for student-athlete compensation, although it may not be able to provide the maximum amount due to its financial circumstances.
The breakdown indicates that about 75% of the available funds would go to football players, 15% to men’s basketball players, 5% to women’s basketball players, and the remaining 5% to all other athletic disciplines. It’s pertinent to note that NM State’s athletics revenue for the fiscal year 2021-22 was around $30.35 million, and $35.83 million for 2022-23, indicating the university’s financial limitations.
Burdge also mentioned that details regarding how the revenue will be allocated to athletes and teams will be worked out in the coming months. She emphasized that they want to create a supportive environment that recognizes the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes.
The settlement also addresses issues related to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), establishing that current athletes must report any NIL deals worth $600 or more to ensure compliance with market value standards. Also included are roster limits for certain sports: 105 players for football and 15 players for basketball.
As NM State embarks on this new journey, the university looks forward to enhancing the experiences of its student-athletes both on and off the field. The recent leadership change in NM State’s NIL collective aims to ensure that the new structure effectively supports all athletes, with specific attention to maintaining equity across gender sports. There remains some concern regarding the impact on women’s sports funding, and proactive measures are being discussed to ensure equitable treatment.
