• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

The Background

  • Oral arguments were heard today in the landmark college athlete compensation Supreme Court case, NCAA v. Alston.
  • While the case centers around “education-related benefits,” it’s really amateurism that’s on trial.
supreme_court
Design: Alex Brooks

In their list of demands, the basketball players who staged this month’s #NotNCAAProperty movement made a plea to the Supreme Court.

“[Do] not give the NCAA any power to deny us equal freedoms.”

Depending on the outcome in NCAA v. Alston, the high court could do just that. The ultimate ruling, which will come this summer, could give the NCAA permanent legal grounds to never pay players. 

The case reviews a circuit court ruling saying the NCAA violated antitrust law by limiting the amount of “non-cash education-related benefits” that schools can offer FBS football and basketball players.

Oral arguments were heard today — a few days before unpaid athletes continue basketball tournaments that make the NCAA billions.

The History

For decades, the NCAA has poured millions in legal fees into defending amateurism — paid for by the revenue basketball players generate.

The last time the Supreme Court heard an NCAA antitrust case was the infamous 1984 Board of Regents. The court’s opinion included the following pro-amateurism language that the NCAA still touts today.

“In order to preserve the character and quality of the ‘product,’ athletes must not be paid, must be required to attend class, and the like.”

About twenty years later, former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon sued the NCAA for not paying him for the use of his name, image, and likeness. 

In 2015, the Ninth Circuit heard an appeal. Its decision forced the NCAA to provide educational benefits up to the cost of attendance. The Supreme Court then refused to hear the case.

The O’Bannon decision came shortly after West Virginia football player Shawne Alston first filed his case — the one the Supreme Court is hearing today. 

O’Bannon gave Alston a narrow path to further challenge the NCAA’s limits on educational benefits.

The Stakeholders

It’s not just college athletes, the NCAA, and schools who care about the decision. Third-party companies prepping for name, image, and likeness legislation are also watching intently.

Today, even the acting solicitor general argued on the athletes’ side.

“It’s not something that happens every day,” Jaime Miettinen, athlete advocate and founder of Miettinen Law, told FOS of the executive branch’s intervention.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian waits to lead his team out of the tunnel ahead of the Longhorns' game against the Baylor Bears, Saturday, Sept. 23 at McLane Stadium in Waco.

Is a Texas Takeover About to Hit the SEC, On and Off..

The Longhorns are favored to win the SEC in their second year in the conference.
Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.

Georgia’s Kirby Smart Says Money Is Making Players Too Comfortable

The football coach is concerned about the revenue-sharing era.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
May 15, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; United States Capitol seen as People rally outside the Supreme Court before justices hears oral arguments in Trump v. CASA, Inc. At issue in the case is if the Supreme Court should stay the district courts' nationwide preliminary injunctions on the Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship.

Pro-NCAA Bill Takes First Step Toward Being Introduced on House Floor for..

It could be the first bill of its kind to make it to the House floor.
July 14, 2025

SEC’s Sankey Is ‘Fine’ With Big Ten’s Differing View on CFP Expansion

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey won’t commit to a 2026 CFP format.
July 14, 2025

Lane Kiffin: ‘Doesn’t Seem’ Like CFB Revenue-Sharing Cap Works Very Well

The outspoken Ole Miss football coach isn’t impressed with revenue-sharing guidelines.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 14, 2025

SEC’s Greg Sankey: Conference Not Sold on Private Equity—for Now

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said he’s taken PE meetings.
July 11, 2025

NCAA: March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams ‘Still Viable’ for 2026

Negotiations continue with media rights holder CBS and TNT Sports.
The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
July 10, 2025

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
July 10, 2025

Deion Sanders Rips ‘Bulljunk’ in CFB, Calls for NFL-Style Salary Cap

Coach Prime is frustrated with the new revenue-sharing era.