The NCAA and its five power conferences just inked a settlement that allows colleges to pay their players directly. This is good news for student-athletes seeking to benefit from their performance while in college. However, this player benefit comes at the organization’s disadvantage.  

Co-lead counsel for the athletes, Steve Berman, dropped his verdict on whether the new settlement would benefit the NCAA and its schools in adding stability. He said, “We’ll find out.” Meanwhile, fans on social media are perplexed by the findings. 

The NCAA agrees to direct payment to student-athletes 

As College Football Report on X reported, “The NCAA and its leagues have agreed to allow schools to pay their athletes. The NCAA will pay over $2.7 Billion in damages to past and current athletes over the next 10 years. The agreed upon plan allows schools to give roughly $20 Million a year to its athletes.” Following this shocking report, a concerned user on X commented, “College sports will never be the same.”

As stated by the CFB Report, this agreement was finalized to settle three pending federal antitrust cases. According to a statement by NCAA president Charlie Baker and the five power conference commissioners on Thursday, “The five autonomy conferences and the NCAA agreeing to settlement terms is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come.” But this decision has garnered mixed responses from fans who put forward their opinions on colleges paying their players. 

X fans are divided in their responses 

Fans on X aren’t silent over this big news with one fan lamenting, “What happened to the game I love.” 

Another person commented, “College sports just changed forever.” College sports are on the verge of changing forever after the NCAA conceded to destroy the amateurism model. 

If you’re wondering how, another fan said, “College sports is finished. There’s now practically no difference from professional.”

A curious fan dragged in the former NIL deals into the conversation and taunted, “So are nil collectives obsolete now?”

Some are sure this isn’t a feasible idea; someone commented, “This won’t hold up either you can’t set a limit to spending without a bargaining agreement with the players. Like the next suit is just gonna rip into this one.” This move not only puts the future of college student-athletes in uncertain hands but also jeopardizes the NCAA’s financial status with a $2.7 million payback. 

What do you think of the NCAA’s new settlement on direct payment to players?