• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

A Seasoned Perspective

  • College sports reform neither began nor ends with amateurism.
  • FOS surveyed a few seasoned college sports reformers for their thoughts on the ruling.
football_player_running
Photo: Alabama Athletics/Design: Alex Brooks

Many of Monday’s reactions made it sound like the battle for college sports reform ended with the Alston ruling. But the fight to fix NCAA exploitation neither began nor ended with Alston.

A cadre of college sports reformers have been fighting the NCAA in court and working on alternative models for years, if not decades. They provided a more seasoned perspective to FOS.

To them, the ruling brings cautious optimism. But everyone agreed that, as economist Andy Schwarz said, “A next step is needed.”

A Little Vindication

Schwarz and fellow economist Daniel Rascher have been studying the NCAA since the late 1990s, and were involved not just in NCAA v. Alston, but also O’Bannon v. NCAA and White v. NCAA.

Back in the ‘90s, “I naively figured we’d be where we are today after about 5-10 years,” Rascher said. 

Schwarz said that since then, “I have had all sorts of people tell me that college athletes are not, in fact, entitled to the same market freedoms as other adults. It is somewhat validating to have nine Supreme Court justices say they actually are.”

Like the others, Ricky Volante, lawyer and CEO of the Professional Collegiate League (which Schwarz also helped co-found), was happy to see the decision. But he won’t be doing a victory lap anytime soon. 

“College athletes deserve to be recognized and treated as full-fledged citizens, which means receiving a salary plus benefits (not just more perks), the right to unionize, the right to collectively bargain, and more,” he said. “Until we reach that point, I’ll personally find it difficult to celebrate this decision or flawed NIL bills going into effect.”

Reassessing the System

“I still believe it will take outside forces to get athletes their full rights, and the full set of options they deserve,” Schwarz said. Schwarz and Volante are in favor of budding organizations like theirs that will treat players like employees.

David Ridpath, an Ohio University sports management professor and former president of The Drake Group, was optimistic. But as for next steps, “As The Drake Group has been advocating — it is time to take a serious look at this system via a presidential commission … and reassess the purpose and place of educationally based elite sport development in our country,” he said.

More lawsuits are also possible. And so is pushing NIL rights further.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell after losing the game to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium.

CFB’s Chaotic (and Pricey) Coaching Carousel Only Getting Started

Firings have already accounted for roughly $116 million.
Oct 16, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups gives instructions to his team during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center.

Chauncey Billups Is Rare Pro Coach Involved in Gambling Scandal

The recent string of gambling scandals have centered on athletes.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
exclusive

Diego Pavia Is Trying to Kill NCAA JUCO Eligibility Rules for Good

Vandy’s QB is amending his own lawsuit to encompass all NCAA athletes.
Tony Vitello
October 22, 2025

Tony Vitello’s Stunning MLB Jump Comes With $3M Tennessee Buyout

Vitello heads to San Francisco after winning a national championship in 2024.
Jun 10, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; A NCAA logo flag at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.
October 23, 2025

College Athletes Can Bet on Pro Sports Starting in November

An NBA player and coach were charged Thursday in a sports betting investigation.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Texas Tech tortillas
October 22, 2025

Texas Tech Is Attempting a Tortilla Crackdown 

Rebellious students are known to smuggle the tortillas in their underwear.
Tom Izzo
October 22, 2025

Tom Izzo Rips ‘Ridiculous’ NCAA Move Allowing Former G Leaguers

Michigan State didn’t know an eligibility change had been made, he said.
October 22, 2025

Big 12’s Yormark Defends Slow NIL Go Approvals: ‘That’s Not a Glitch’

Collectives have been starting to pay players without approvals.
BYU
October 20, 2025

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.