College basketball reached a boiling point this week—not just on the hardwood, but in courtrooms and across social media, where fans, players, and critics rallied against what many see as a half-measure disguised as progress. The NCAA’s long-awaited decision to allow student-athletes to receive a share of athletic department revenue—hailed as a “landmark settlement” by officials—is now facing backlash from the very people it’s supposed to help.
And all this played out as two No. 1 seeds—Florida and Houston—prepared to clash in San Antonio for the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball national title. The timing couldn’t have been more ironic.
A statement issued by Charlie Baker read, “Today’s hearing on the landmark settlement was a significant step in modernizing college sports. If approved, the settlement will allow student-athletes the opportunity to receive nearly 50% of athletic department revenue in a sustainable and fair system for years to come.”
Statement on settlement hearing. pic.twitter.com/xfsxUvikAl
— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) April 7, 2025
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken held a final hearing on the proposed $2.8 billion settlement. The plan, if finalized, would fundamentally reshape college sports by granting athletes a cut of nearly 50% of their program’s revenues moving forward. NCAA President Charlie Baker called the move a “significant step in modernizing college sports” and promised it would create a “sustainable and fair system for years to come.”
But student-athletes and fans aren’t exactly celebrating. In fact, many are outright rejecting it.
(story is developing..stay tuned)
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