• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, December 3, 2024

SEC Football Coaches Say Their Rosters Will Cost $15 Million. But Will They Get It?

  • SEC football coaches expect to receive a large chunk of the annual $22 million in House settlement payments for their own players.
  • They might be completely wrong about how much money they’ll ultimately get.
Jul 15, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; LSU head coach Brian Kelly speaking at Omni Dallas Hotel.
Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

This week, multiple SEC football coaches told Yahoo! Sports that they expect to be able to pay up to $15 million per year to their own football players—money resulting from the House v. NCAA settlement. But they could be very wrong.

The settlement, announced in May, wraps up three lawsuits over athlete compensation limits. The House case specifically argues that broadcast revenue should be considered NIL for power conference athletes—and that players should, therefore, get a cut of the billion-dollar television deals their conferences and schools have enjoyed. Part of the agreement will allow for schools to share up to about $22 million per year with all the players in their athletic department.

But how that $22 million will be distributed remains unclear.

For one thing, the settlement hasn’t been finalized. It still needs to be submitted to the judge for approval, and then it will go through an objections period for plaintiffs. (One FCS school, Houston Christian University, has already submitted a formal objection.) 

Once finalized, the settlement itself will likely not address how much money each team will receive. SEC coaches arrived at their number on the assumption that they’ll receive 70% of the House payments, given that their football teams bring in 70% of athletic department revenue. But Title IX, the federal statute governing gender equity in higher education and college sports, could dictate a completely different formula, forcing schools to dish out the cash in a more equitable manner between male and female athletes. And then, of course, there’s the internal politics of each athletic department, which could alter the formula based on year-to-year priorities.

In other words, there’s no guarantee that the SEC coaches will get their wish.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Elon Musk looks on before Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.

Can Elon Musk’s X Fix Its Rampant Fake Sports News Problem?

Little is known about how X will enforce its new policy aimed at parody accounts.
Nov 2, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee leads SMU on to the field before the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Every Power 4 Championship Game Will Have a Conference Newcomer

Oregon, SMU, Texas, and Arizona State will all play for titles.

Roger Goodell, Josh Harris Lobby Senate on Behalf of RFK Stadium Bill

The team wants a new home by 2030. Could it be D.C.?
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables celebrates with fans after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Oklahoma won 24-3.

SEC’s $1.6M Field-Storming Fiasco: Fines Pile Up After Celebrations

There were eight field stormings in the SEC this fall.

Featured Today

Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
November 30, 2024

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.
November 29, 2024

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 29, 2024

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Derek Eusebio (83) drinks out of the Territorial Cup at the end of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.

IRS Says Tax Enforcement of Nonprofit NIL Collectives Is 2025 Priority

Many NIL collectives are registered as tax-exempt organizations.
A University of Michigan police officer sprays pepper spray as Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes fight following the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Michigan won 13-10.
December 2, 2024

Ohio State and Michigan Kick Off Fines for Flag-Planting-Filled Saturday

Ohio State PD used pepper spray on players to stop a brawl.
December 2, 2024

Fired CFB Coaches Owed More Than $36M in Buyouts So Far

West Virginia will pay Neal Brown nearly $10 million.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
December 1, 2024

Ohio State’s Loss and Rivalry Weekend Chaos Shake Up CFP Race

Ohio State will not compete for the Big Ten championship.
November 27, 2024

Who Is Jolin, the Mystery Woman Fueling Michigan’s Recruiting Boom?

Little is known about the woman with ties to billionaire Larry Ellison.
Nov 26, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (9) approaches Texas A&M Aggies guard CJ Wilcher (10) during the first half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory
November 27, 2024

Is This $9 Million Basketball Tournament the ‘Future of College Sports’?

NIL opportunities for players are scheduled throughout the six-day tournament.
Nov 24, 2011; College Station, TX, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage during a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and Texas Longhorns in the third quarter at Kyle Field.
November 26, 2024

High Stakes and Record Ticket Prices for Texas–Texas A&M

The get-in price for Saturday’s game is more than $500.