What the settlement changed
The settlement in the House antitrust litigation against the NCAA and major conferences was approved by a federal court in 2025. It resolved damages claims by former athletes over past NIL restrictions and allowed participating schools to share revenue directly with athletes, subject to a cap. It also replaced scholarship limits with roster limits in many sports and created an enforcement body to oversee the new rules. Parts of the settlement have been challenged on appeal, including objections about how payments are allocated between men's and women's sports, and the rules continue to be adjusted as they are applied. Check the current status of any provision before relying on it.
Third-party deals and the review process
Under the new framework, many NIL deals with third parties, such as local businesses or collectives, are reported to a clearinghouse for review. That review looks at whether the deal serves a real business purpose and whether the pay falls within a range that reflects market value, and deals that do not clear it can be disputed or reworked. Revenue-sharing contracts with schools are a separate document, often with terms on exclusivity, use of the athlete's name and likeness, and what happens on transfer. State NIL laws vary, and some interact uneasily with the settlement's rules. Keep copies of every agreement, the reporting confirmations, and messages with collectives or agents.
What to review before signing
Before signing, an athlete should understand what rights they are granting, for how long, whether the agreement survives a transfer, and whether it restricts other deals. Repayment or buyout clauses deserve close attention, as does any term giving a school or collective control over the athlete's social media. International students on visas face separate immigration questions about NIL income and should get that advice before accepting payment. Agents and advisors for college athletes may also need state registration, which is worth confirming. In a first conversation, we review the documents in front of you and explain how the settlement's rules apply to them.
