OAKLAND, Calif. — A landmark legal settlement that could change the face of college athletics is now under the consideration of a federal judge. The proposed settlement, which amounts to $2.8 billion, aims to allow schools to share revenue with athletes, while also compensating those who have been unable to earn money prior to the new law known as NIL (Name, Image, Likeness).
During a hearing on April 7, 2025, attorneys filed for final approval of the agreement, emphasizing that it represents significant progress for college sports. However, the plan did not address modifications related to team roster limits that U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken suggested earlier. The attorneys argued that introducing such changes at this stage would lead to chaos within college teams.
Judge Wilken previously indicated her support for the settlement, describing it as a good deal overall, but expressed concerns regarding roster limits. Currently, schools can have an unlimited number of athletes on their roster, which allows some sports teams to carry many participants. Under the proposed changes, each team would be limited in how many players they can officially have, which could lead to some athletes losing their spots.
In response to these concerns, attorneys representing the NCAA and the country’s five largest conferences pointed out that any alterations at this stage could disrupt the understanding that many student-athletes have worked under, including the decisions they made about transfers and rosters. They shared, “These decisions have led to tens of thousands of choices made by students,” meaning that changing roster limit rules now could unfairly impact many athletes already preparing for the upcoming season.
Wilken’s inquiries about the roster limits posed some of the most pressing questions during this hearing, illustrating that any changes need careful consideration. College athletes, particularly women’s teams, could face severe cuts in scholarship opportunities if the limits are enacted, which has led some individuals to voice their objections.
Some objectors highlighted specific issues like Title IX violations and the resulting unfairness to athletes, sparking important discussions on how the settlement will balance athlete compensation while ensuring fairness across college sports.
The legal representatives plan to address the concerns raised during the hearing and expect a final decision from Judge Wilken in the coming weeks, which could significantly reshape the landscape of college athletics.
