NCAA Faces Upheaval Amid Legal and Economic Shifts

College sports are undergoing major changes as the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement will soon permit schools to directly compensate student-athletes, with payouts reaching up to $20.5 million per school in the first year. This financial shift marks the start of a new economic model in college athletics but does not end legal challenges, as the upcoming Johnson v. NCAA case could further change the status of athletes by classifying them as employees. The major conferences have established the College Sports Commission to oversee revenue sharing and ensure fairness in name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Debate surrounds the future role of the NCAA, with some experts declaring it obsolete beyond managing tournaments, while others argue it can adapt. Concerns persist regarding the effects on women's sports and the potential for additional lawsuits. The overall landscape of college athletics remains in flux due to ongoing legal and structural reforms.