• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

The House v. NCAA Settlement Has Its First Formal Objection

  • Houston Christian University, a D-I school in the Southland Conference, filed an intervention request Thursday.
  • The school argues the terms of the House v. NCAA settlement adversely impact it financially.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The first official objection has been filed to the potential settlement in the landmark House v. NCAA case over athlete name, image, and likeness rights.

In May, the NCAA and power conferences approved a potential multibillion-dollar settlement for the lawsuit (along with two other similar lawsuits), which argues that athletes deserve back pay for not being able to profit from NIL before 2021—and that the definition of NIL should be expanded to include television revenue. The settlement, which the plaintiffs’ lawyers also agreed to, would require power conference schools to start revenue-sharing with players, as well as pay $2.7 billion in damages in conjunction with the NCAA. Non-power conference schools were not defendants.

But not everyone in Division I is happy with the settlement. Houston Christian University, a member of the Southland Conference, filed a request for “intervention” to the settlement terms Thursday. The school argued in court documents that the settlement will adversely impact the school’s finances and cause the cost of attendance to rise due to the schools’ loss of funds. Though not specified, HCU’s complaint likely refers to the plan the NCAA has laid out for covering its portion of damages. The governing body will reduce its annual revenue distributions to conferences in order to cover its portion of damages over a period of 10 years, with the amount of more than $1 billion. 

“The proposed settlement will privilege the pursuit of big-money college sports over the needs of ordinary students whom institutions like HCU serve,” the school wrote. “It will divert funds from a university’s core academic mission in favor of big-time sports entertainment.”

HCU also claims it had no say in the settlement terms. In May, a source told Front Office Sports that non-power conferences were not consulted in settlement conversations, and they weren’t even provided financial details during a division-wide meeting with NCAA president Charlie Baker. Instead, the rest of D-I found out about the settlement details only when they were reported in the media, the source said. Big East commissioner Val Ackerman, along with 21 other commissioners, penned a letter to the NCAA asking to change the payment terms to minimize the impact on non-power schools, who were not defendants in the lawsuit. 

The settlement agreement is not final, however. The parties must still submit a formal proposal to the court, which they will likely do by the end of July. Then, Judge Claudia Wilken must review it and give plaintiffs an opportunity to object before providing her final approval. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB’s Rare October Day: Four Playoff Games, Four Possible Clinchers

Four separate clinching opportunities are available during the day.
Maverick Carter, LeBron James
exclusive

New International Basketball League Plans Launch, Without Maverick Carter

The venture plans to launch men’s and women’s leagues next fall.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

In the proposed deal, the Big Ten would spin off assets into a new entity.
Brian Flores

Court Again Rejects NFL Request to Send Flores Case to Arbitration

The NFL has tried to keep the case out of open court.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.

Big Ten Teams Grapple With Long Flights, Time-Zone Hurdles

Coaches across the country are noticing some impact.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.
October 6, 2025

The Improbability of UCLA’s Incredible Upset Win Against Penn State

Before UCLA beat Penn State, donors were deeply unhappy.
October 7, 2025

NIL Hits Week 1: Auburn’s Atlanta Game Marks Next Step in Player..

The teams will play in the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Penn State Has a $50 Million James Franklin Problem

Franklin’s team lost to unranked UCLA on Saturday despite being heavy favorites.
October 5, 2025

CFB’s New Parity Era: Penn State, Texas Top-25 Exits Signal Shift

Penn State and Texas fall entirely out of the top-25 rankings.
Cody Campbell
October 4, 2025

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.
Florida State defensive back Renardo Green (8) tackles Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (22) during a college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
October 2, 2025

Miami–Florida State Rivalry Heats Up With Priciest Ticket in CFB

The get-in price for Saturday’s matchup in Tallahassee is more than $300.