WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NCAA House Settlement has sent shockwaves through college athletics. Valued at more than $2.7 billion, the deal compensates athletes for past restrictions on name, image, and likeness (NIL) earnings and lays the groundwork for future revenue-sharing models.
While headlines focus on how Power Five programs will adapt, the real question is: What does this mean for HBCUs? Here are five key takeaways for historically Black colleges and universities — and the athletes who represent them.
1. Recognition of Athlete Value
For decades, athletes generated millions for the NCAA and their schools while receiving little more than scholarships in return. The House Settlement acknowledges this inequity and provides back pay to thousands of former players.
For HBCU athletes, this recognition matters. It validates years of overlooked contributions and highlights that their work on the field and court has always held value. While the payout amounts may be smaller compared to athletes from wealthier schools, the settlement is still a symbolic victory for student-athletes who’ve long been left out of the conversation.