Judge Wilken Grants Preliminary Approval to $2.78 Billion NCAA Settlement Allowing Athlete Compensation

Oct 7, 2024, 05:30 PM

On October 7, 2024, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken granted preliminary approval to a $2.78 billion settlement in the House v. NCAA case, as well as to the settlement of the Chuba Hubbard case. The settlements mark significant steps forward in antitrust litigation involving the NCAA and Power Five conferences, aiming to establish a framework for colleges to directly compensate student-athletes. Despite opposition from several athlete groups and attorneys—including Michael Hausfeld, who represented Ed O'Bannon in a landmark antitrust case—the court has moved forward. Objectors argue that the settlements' terms may interfere with athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and could impose pay caps violating antitrust laws. The final approval hearing is scheduled for April 7, 2025, coinciding with the morning of the men's basketball championship game. Plaintiffs' attorney Steve Berman hailed the preliminary approval as "a huge step forward for NCAA athletes."