• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

The Implications

  • If the NCAA wins, athletes could permanently lose a path to challenge amateurism in court.
  • If athletes win, they could continue peppering the NCAA with lawsuits that chip away at amateurism one by one.
Photo: David Berding-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

The high court typically agrees to hear a case for one of three reasons, Boise State professor Sam Ehrlich, who filed two supporting briefs in the case, told FOS. 

First, if the case is important for the “national zeitgeist.” Second, if the case is the type that interests the justices personally. And third, if hearing the case could resolve conflicting circuit court decisions on a particular issue. 

NCAA v. Alston falls into that third category. The crux of each argument was whether the Ninth Circuit properly applied antitrust law.

Alston lawyers effectively said the NCAA’s ceiling on educational benefits violates antitrust. But the NCAA says amateurism is legal because it’s necessary to their business.

But there’s more than just antitrust implications at stake.

If NCAA Wins

If the high court rules in favor of the NCAA, any future athlete challenges of amateurism would be stifled, legal experts told FOS.

The governing body could use the Supreme Court’s opinion to dismiss any future lawsuits questioning restrictions on athlete compensation. This means the NCAA could write any NIL rules it wanted without facing litigation — though it still might have to answer to Congress.

This would be a dream come true for the governing body, whose ultimate goal is to prevent athletes from sharing in the billions generated by the sports they play. 

It even has the added benefit of stopping the “never-ending litigation” the NCAA previously complained about in a statement.

If Athletes Win

If the court upholds the Ninth Circuit ruling (the same one that heard O’Bannon), athletes won’t just win extra educational benefits.

They could retain an opportunity to challenge the NCAA’s restrictions on athlete compensation in future lawsuits. That means anything from NIL rules to revenue-sharing agreements could be up for discussion.

Mit Winter, sports attorney at Kennyhertz Perry, described this possibility as a “new wave” of lawsuits that would continue to chip away at amateurism. 

The Caveat

These two options represent the way a clear-cut opinion would affect college sports. 

But the justices could technically write a more open-ended opinion — we just won’t know until they publish it this summer.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball

NCAA Settles With Volunteer Baseball Coaches for $49 Million

A similar suit brought by volunteer coaches of other sports remains open.
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) carries the football against South Florida Bulls cornerback Ben Knox (1) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

NCAA Eliminates Spring Transfer Portal Window

The change is aimed at curbing the system of “unrestricted free agency.”

CFB TV Ratings Stay Hot As Georgia-Tennessee Sets ABC High of 12.6M

ABC has had four games that have topped 10 million viewers this season.
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back AK Dear (0) tries to outrun Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) during the second half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Despite Vote Delay, SCORE Act Negotiations Continue on Capitol Hill

Political ad campaigns during college football Saturdays continue as well.

Featured Today

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Jack Layne (2) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl.

UCLA Paid New Mexico $1.2 Million for Friday’s Loss: Payout Game Tracker

The Bruins weren’t the only Power-4 school to lose a buy game and fire their coach.
September 14, 2025

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Rose Bowl.
September 15, 2025

UCLA-Tennessee QB Trade Has Been Painful So Far

Iamaleava abruptly left Tennessee for UCLA this past offseason.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.
September 11, 2025

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
NFL Congress
exclusive
September 10, 2025

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.