College Sports & Pro Athlete Compensation: A New Era
The landscape of college sports and college board regulations has seen significant shifts recently. The Supreme Court has allowed an antitrust lawsuit against FIFA and the US Soccer Federation to proceed, while the Trump administration has issued an executive order, 'Saving College Sports', to clarify regulations on student-athlete compensation.
The U.S. Department of Justice and state attorneys general have been scrutinizing international professional sports leagues operating within U.S. borders since 2024. Meanwhile, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) and individual players have sued tennis governing bodies for wage suppression and limiting opportunities.
The University of Pennsylvania faced a DOE investigation for violating Title IX regarding transgender athlete Lia Thomas. Conversely, the Trump administration withdrew federal funding from schools allowing transgender athletes to participate in women's sports. Nearly 25 states have considered amendments or modifications to their cbs sports compensation laws in response to the settlement.
The landmark settlement in House v. NCAA permits student-athletes in Division I athletic programs to earn NIL compensation from schools, affiliated entities, third parties, and NIL collectives at fair market value. However, it does not allow 'pay for play', i.e., direct payment for athletic services. Congress is currently considering federal legislation to create national standards for student-athlete NIL compensation.
These developments signal a significant evolution in the compensation and rights of professional and college athletes. The Supreme Court's decision, along with the Trump administration's executive order and the House v. NCAA settlement, are expected to shape the future of college sports and professional athlete compensation.
