For years, the NCAA has fought to maintain an outdated vision of amateurism, resisting the inevitable shift toward a professionalized college sports model. But Monday’s legal settlement—permanently eliminating the rule that prohibited athletes from negotiating NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals before enrolling—marks a long-overdue step toward fairness.
The lawsuit, led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and joined by multiple states, successfully argued that the rule unfairly restricted athletes from negotiating when their leverage was at its highest: during recruitment. And the truth is, NIL deals have already been shaping recruiting decisions, whether the NCAA wanted to admit it or not. By striking down this restriction, the legal system has acknowledged what coaches and players have long known—money is a major factor in where athletes choose to play.
This settlement isn’t just about NIL. It’s part of a larger transformation in college sports, one that will soon allow schools to pay athletes directly. The upcoming House settlement, set for an April 7 hearing, will enable schools to distribute millions of dollars to their athletes, a monumental shift toward a more equitable system.
While these changes are a victory for student-athletes, they also highlight how reactive the NCAA has been. Rather than leading the charge for a fairer model, it has consistently been forced into action by courts and lawsuits. This settlement is progress, but it’s only the beginning. If college sports are truly going to embrace a sustainable future, the NCAA must proactively redefine its role—because change isn’t just coming. It’s already here.
