House vs. NCAA settlements are one of the most talked about topics in college sports this offseason. Now that the contract has been formally approved by a federal judge, the university can begin direct payments for student-athletes.
The University of Florida Athletics Association can spend up to $20 million per year on athlete compensation starting July 1st. Additionally, there is the option to spend $2 million a year on former student-athlete Backpay.
College sports remained extremely popular, suggesting that a third of the US population is fans of college-level competitions. As viewers rise, more money is flowing into the athletics sector.
Broadcast rights, product sales and sponsorship transactions are more advantageous each year. On top of this, more university sports fans have signed up for the top online sports betting platforms, earning a number of promotions related to big games. This has allowed for an increased audience and enhanced the commercial appeal of the university game.
More money is being poured in, but the athletes themselves have historically seen little. Now US District Judge Claudi Wilken has approved a House v. NCAA settlement that allows the university to pay directly.
Not only can the university share revenues with students now, it can also retroactively compensate former athletes back in 2016.
The University of Florida Athletics Association welcomes the court’s decision and calls it an important step for the growth of university athletics. It said it will continue to commit to supporting student-athletes both on and off the field.
The University of Florida aims to support all 21 male and female sports teams in accordance with the House of Representatives settlement.
The top priority is given to the program with the highest revenues, and 75% of the available athlete compensation is expected to go to football players.
The men’s basketball team is expected to receive 15%, with 5% going to the women’s basketball team.
The remaining 5% is expected to be allocated to other sports, as it is distributed primarily based on the revenue generated by each sport.
According to a 2024 report, UF surpassed its $200 million revenue, with over $100 million coming from the football program.
In addition to being able to receive compensation directly from the university for Florida student-athletes, they still receive support for names, images, and portraits (nils) tied to individual brand values.
However, the way these transactions are conducted is scrutinized. All transactions over $600 are processed through a platform called Nil Go. It is reviewed by the University Sports Committee, not directly by the NCAA. The College Sports Commission will be penalised for schools that break revenue sharing transactions with NILs.
Florida soccer is beginning to lay the foundations for a new revenue sharing era in college sports. Head coach Billy Napier said the new system will provide more structure and stability to register buildings on the roster from 2025 onwards.
In February, the university strengthened its football program by appointing Benjamin Ersner and Nick Polk to key leadership roles. The latter previously spent 17 years managing the NFL Atlanta Falcon contract and salary cap. He is expected to play a major role in overseeing the UF’s new football compensation strategy.
