NCAA Division I Sports Set for Big Changes in 2025-2026
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Starting in the 2025-2026 season, NCAA Division I sport will undergo significant changes that will impact college athletics like never before. On July 26, the NCAA provided an update on three antitrust lawsuits involving college athletes, the NCAA, and its five major conferences. These lawsuits focus on how college athletes were treated in the past and aim to improve their future opportunities. The settlement documents are expected to be reviewed by the courts on September 5, 2024.
Key Changes:
Back Payments for Athletes
Athletes who were denied the chance to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) since 2016 will receive back payments. Around $2.78 billion will be paid over the next ten years, with $2.3 billion going to about 19,000 football and men’s basketball players, mainly from the Power 5 conferences.
New NIL Benefits
Starting in 2025, student-athletes can earn up to 22% of their school’s annual revenue, which could mean an additional $20-$22 million each year. This money will come directly from their schools and third-party NIL deals, creating more opportunities for athletes to profit from their talents.
Elimination of Scholarship Limits
The current scholarship limits will be removed across all NCAA Division I sports. Instead, schools will set roster limits, allowing more athletes to join teams. This change could add around 790 more scholarship spots across over 40 NCAA sports.
New Roster Limits
If approved, the following changes will be made to roster limits:
Football: Roster limits will increase from 85 to 105, with partial scholarships now an option.
Baseball: Roster limit will be set at 34, up from 11.7 scholarships that could be divided among players.
Softball: Roster limit will be set at 25, up from 12 scholarships.
Men’s Basketball: Roster limit will increase to 15, with partial scholarships allowed.
Women’s Basketball: Roster limit will remain at 15, but partial scholarships will now be an option.
Men’s Lacrosse: Roster limit will be set at 48, up from 12.6 scholarships.
Women’s Lacrosse: Roster limit will be set at 38, up from 12 scholarships.
Women’s Volleyball: Roster limit will be set at 18, with partial scholarships now available.
Impact on Schools and Student-Athletes
Many schools will likely focus their resources on sports like football and basketball, which generate the most revenue. This could mean less funding for non-revenue sports, potentially leading to fewer scholarships or even the elimination of certain programs.
Title IX Considerations
It’s unclear how Title IX, which ensures gender equality in education, will affect these changes. Schools may need to balance scholarship increases between men’s and women’s sports to comply with Title IX.
What This Means for Recruits
If you’re a high school athlete graduating in 2025 or later, these changes could mean more scholarship opportunities. However, schools might prioritize revenue-generating sports, potentially affecting the availability of scholarships in other sports.
Conclusion
Big changes are coming to NCAA Division I sports. Stay informed and prepare for how these updates might impact your athletic career. Stay up to date on social media and with NLU for the latest news and tips on managing your recruitment effectively.