“There is a pretty significant amount of track and field athletes for whom a college opportunity will only come through the participation of track and field. That is something we need to really educate the public around. Coining the term, ‘the opportunity sport,’ encapsulates all of that. It’s something I believe the broader public can get understanding around.”

Starting July 1, NCAA Division I schools can directly pay athletes for the first time ever. This shift follows the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, approved last week by Judge Claudia Wilken. The $2.8B deal doesn’t make athletes employees, but it does allow them to finally receive a share of the billions in revenue they help generate.

Schools will be able to offer up to $20.5M annually to student-athletes across all sports (amounts not required to be equal). It also tightens oversight of NIL collectives via a new clearinghouse that ensures deals are “fair-market value.” After major pushback over lost roster spots, the final version protects current and incoming athletes, though schools aren’t required to restore those spots.

Now, athletic departments are racing to implement these changes. Some are lobbying Congress for federal regulation, hoping this deal becomes a stepping stone toward nationwide legislation. Either way, college sports — and particularly cross country and track — will never look the same.

Mentioned in this episode…

Read: Track Is America’s Opportunity Sport. Colleges Need To Save It

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Russell Dinkin | @dancingdinks on Instagram

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