Eric Boggs 
Rev. John Jenkins
By Eric Boggs from The OHIO Podcast
Notre Dame was prepared with a clear statement after a major NCAA settlement was announced. On Thursday, the NCAA and the five largest conferences agreed to pay nearly $2.8 billion to settle several antitrust claims. This agreement, still needing approval from a federal judge, could result in millions of dollars being distributed to athletes through a revenue-sharing plan from colleges.
Notre Dame expressed concern, saying this settlement threatens the “great American institution of college sports.” They believe the ruling could change how college sports operate by introducing a system where athletes receive significant payments directly from schools.
“The settlement, though undesirable in many respects and promising only temporary stability, is necessary to avoid what would be the bankruptcy of college athletics. To save the great American institution of college sports, Congress must pass legislation that will preempt the current patchwork of state laws; establish that our athletes are not employees, but students seeking college degrees; and provide protection from further antitrust lawsuits that will allow colleges to make and enforce rules that will protect our student-athletes and help ensure competitive equity among our teams.”
Notre Dame president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
The $2.8 billion settlement will be distributed over 10 years to more than 14,000 former and current college athletes. These athletes claimed that old rules, now obsolete, prevented them from earning money from endorsement and sponsorship deals dating back to 2016.
This decision will create a system similar to professional sports, where schools can share up to $22 million a year with their athletes through a revenue-sharing fund.
There are still many questions about how this deal will affect Notre Dame and their independence from NCAA conferences. Some fans believe this is just another strike against the Fighting Irish keeping their football independence.
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