• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 18, 2025

House v. NCAA Settlement Is Here. Non-Power Conference Schools Still Have Questions

Power conference administrators, at least publicly, trumpeted the settlement as a major solution to college sport. But others in D-I lamented a lack of information—and faith.

North Dakota Fighting Hawks guard Zach Kraft (1) shoots the ball on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Imagn Images

ORLANDO—The House v. NCAA settlement was approved June 6, just a few days before thousands of athletic directors and administrators from around the country descended upon Orlando for their annual National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention. 

The settlement, which will allow all schools in D-I to pay players for the first time in history, was, of course, the hottest topic. NACDA and affiliate organizations hosted close to two dozen sessions on the specific terms of the landmark settlement, and how schools should handle them. Members of the settlement implementation committee, made up of power conference athletic directors, hosted a talk Tuesday morning in a ballroom with hundreds of people. Deloitte sent employees to give a step-by-step presentation on “NIL Go,” the new NIL  clearinghouse. As administrators gathered at the overflowing hotel bar, they joked about the settlement and shared their plans with each other over beers, cocktails, and sushi.

Throughout the conference, power conference administrators, at least publicly, trumpeted the settlement as a major solution to college sports—specifically one that would curb the unrestricted NIL market—and promised to commit to the new rules and regulations.

But non-power conference administrators exhibited less faith. They still have lists of questions that haven’t gotten answered. And it’s not just a lack of information—many sounded skeptical about the settlement’s ability to “stabilize” college sports and enforce the new rules effectively. 

“They’re not that complicated,” Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said of the new rules. But not everyone agrees.

‘Where’s Our Answer Now?’

The House v. NCAA settlement offers $2.8 billion in back-damages to athletes who couldn’t earn money from their name, image, and likeness before 2021. It allows revenue-sharing with players—up to a cap that will start at $20.5 million next year. But it also sets up new restrictions: a “clearinghouse” will vet NIL collective and booster deals to ensure they’re offering “fair-market value,” and not pay-for-play. It eliminates limits on scholarships, but puts new roster limits in its place.

Power conference schools are required to opt in. The rest of D-I are allowed to opt into the terms if they want. But because the former Power 5 were the only conference defendants in the lawsuit, they’re the only schools with any say in the settlement terms or implementation process: They created the College Sports Commission, the new group tasked with enforcing all the House settlement rules. (The NCAA, the other major defendant, is not participating in enforcement.)

But because the settlement itself wasn’t fully approved until last week, the Commission didn’t launch until Friday night—and many of the details remain a mystery to non-power conference administrators. Those questions range from how schools implement certain aspects of the settlement to how enforcement will work.

During the settlement implementation session at the NACDA conference, for example, a University of North Dakota administrator asked power conference athletic directors when he might expect more communication about how implementation of the new rules will work. “We have until Sunday to decide whether we’re opting in,” he said. “I think many of us are having these conversations on our campus with a lack of information. So, do you happen to know when some of that information might come out?”

Washington athletic director Pat Chun said a 51-page FAQ was being prepared, but that lawyers had to look it over, causing a publication delay. Then, NCAA representative Dave Schnase, who had been watching in the audience, came to the microphone and said the FAQ would be available soon. In other words, no one knew exactly when more information would be available.

Another FBS administrator, who declined not to be named to speak freely, told Front Office Sports that their athletic department has been preparing for the House settlement for a year, but still has questions about NCAA rule changes. 

“I think everyone’s kind of relieved that we no longer have to wait on, is it going to pass or not,” the administrator said. “But also, now, there’s a lot of impatience…we’ve been asking these questions for months. You guys have had months to answer them.”

In some cases, the answers to these questions don’t exist yet. Conference commissioners told reporters Monday that they haven’t settled on punishments for violating NIL clearinghouse rules. And they haven’t explained how they’ll enforce some of these rules—or how schools can enforce them, which is especially pertinent given that schools will be punished if their athletes violate rules (like refusing to enter deals into the clearinghouse).

Addressing the power conferences and NCAA, the FBS administrator said: “You said, ‘Wait till the House settlement is approved or not approved.’ So where’s our answer now?”

Return of ‘Brown Paper Bags’

Others have concerns specifically over whether the rules will actually ensure that schools won’t use NIL—or even just under-the-table payments that aren’t considered NIL at all—to usurp the new revenue sharing cap. They also worry about a flurry of new lawsuits that may come to to challenge the settlement’s terms.

Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey tells FOS he thinks the clearinghouse will help prohibit some NIL deals from being overinflated, but expressed concern that those deals disguised as pay-for-play will show up in other forms. “I believe the brown paper bags are going to come back,” he says.

Former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the new GM of St. Bonaventure basketball, said during a panel he was concerned non-power conference athletes would be targeted for punishments because the power conferences wouldn’t want to punish their own players.

The athletic directors on the House implementation committee, meanwhile, were confident all  D-I schools would commit to following the rules they’ve asked for. “We are literally going to sign a piece of paper” to commit to them, Bjork said, referencing a memo barring schools from suing to challenge the settlement’s terms. They did, however, acknowledge the shortage of information; the College Sports Commission announced Wednesday it extended the opt-in deadline from June 15 to June 30.

Added Clemson athletic director Graham Neff: “We’ve got to commit and adapt to this change—and be all in it together..”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Financial Behemoth Dodgers Win NL Pennant, Eye History

The biggest spenders would be MLB’s first repeat champion in 25 years.
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
Jason Belzer

College Sports Is ‘Too Big of an Opportunity’

Panelists at the Asset Class summit agreed college sports is the next frontier.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

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.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.