Tue Apr 08 02:40:00 UTC 2025: **Judge to Rule on $2.8 Billion NCAA Settlement Impacting College Athletes**

Oakland, CA – A landmark $2.8 billion settlement between the NCAA and college athletes is nearing final approval, but faces hurdles before reshaping college sports. Judge Claudia Wilken, presiding over the case, expressed overall approval but voiced concerns requiring further clarification from both sides within a week.

The settlement, resolving three antitrust lawsuits, will compensate past and present Division I athletes for lost earning potential due to NCAA rules. It also introduces a new system allowing schools to directly pay players, starting this summer, while imposing a roughly $20.5 million annual spending cap per school, increasing yearly over ten years.

However, the proposed roster limits for each sport have sparked objections. Several athletes testified they’d lose their positions due to this cap, which aims to prevent wealthier schools from dominating recruiting. Judge Wilken suggested “grandfathering” in current athletes to avoid immediate roster cuts, a suggestion the plaintiffs’ attorneys seemed open to, though the NCAA’s lawyers requested time to consult with their clients.

Further concerns were raised about the distribution of the $2.8 billion in damages, with men’s sports, particularly football and basketball, anticipated to receive the lion’s share. Objectors also questioned the legality of the spending cap, a point Judge Wilken acknowledged but deemed outside the scope of the current case.

Despite these concerns, attorneys for both sides expressed optimism about securing final approval within weeks, ensuring the implementation of athlete payments beginning in July.

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