A US District Judge, Claudia Wilken, has granted preliminary approval to a $2.78 billion legal settlement that is set to revolutionise college sports by enabling schools to pay players. The order released by Judge Wilken outlines a timetable for the deal, which will see millions of dollars going directly to college athletes, who can start making claims later this month.
A final hearing for the approval of the settlement is scheduled for April 7, 2025. If finalised, the agreement would permit major schools to establish a pool of approximately $21.5 million in the first year for distribution to athletes via a revenue-sharing scheme. Notably, athletes would still retain the ability to engage in name, image, and likeness deals with external entities.
This landmark decision is poised to have a significant impact on the world of college sports, potentially reshaping the landscape for student-athletes across the country. For further coverage on AP college football, stay updated at https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll.