On July 26, as the Paris Olympics kicked off with fireworks over the Seine, another tectonic moment was developing back in the U.S. A $2.8 billion NCAA settlement had just been filed, a game-changing move that could transform college sports forever. Now, all eyes are on April 7, when Judge Claudia Wilken will decide whether to approve it. So what could be the aftermath if the bill gets passed?
Well, in the scenario that the bill gets passed, it will permit universities to share revenue with athletes for the first time. A win for football and basketball? Absolutely. But what about track & field, cross-country, and other Olympic sports? Will funding take a hit? Could some programs struggle to survive? With uncertainty looming, track & field coaches aren’t waiting for answers; they’re turning to their community for support. What do they have to say?
The $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement introduces a major shift in college athletics, but its impact on track and field remains uncertain. While the agreement allows schools to allocate up to $22 million annually for athlete compensation, non-revenue sports like track and field could face financial strain. Most Division I athletic departments already struggle to break even. With revenue sharing coming in, budgets will get even tighter, leaving schools with even less money to support all sports, including track and field, and smaller programs may struggle to compete for resources. Budget reallocations could lead to reduced scholarships, facility investments, or even program cuts. Amidst the shifting landscape of collegiate athletics, Track and Field coaches had enough, and they took matters into their own hands.
They wrote a powerful open letter that has been making waves on social media, directly addressing the track and field community. Signed by some of the most respected names in the sport—coaches like Ben Thomas (Virginia Tech), Dennis Shaver (LSU), Jerry Schumacher (Oregon), and others—the letter is both a warning and a desperate call to action. “The landscape of collegiate athletics is shifting rapidly, and the future of track and field is at risk,” the letter states. With recent NCAA changes eliminating scholarship limits, capping roster sizes, and introducing revenue-sharing models, track and field programs could face severe financial strain. The letter warns that the new 45-scholarship cap for men and women combined could “drastically reduce opportunities for student-athletes, particularly those from underserved communities.”
Roster limits add to the problem. Cross-country teams are now capped at 17 athletes, track and field at 45. “This may also encourage programs to recruit only fully developed athletes, internationally, potentially reducing access for U.S. athletes,” the letter explains. Budget implications are another major concern. With universities directing more funds toward revenue-generating sports like football and basketball, track and field programs could suffer from reduced scholarships, coaching positions, and facilities.
P5 track & field coaches are mobilizing to protect the future of their sport against House settlement, citing roster limits, budget cuts, program eliminations, etc. This open letter to the track & field community is being circulated calling for immediate action. pic.twitter.com/awORNs94dI
— Philip Sheng (@therealshenger) March 11, 2025
But the letter is not just about identifying problems—it demands action. “We must find new sources of income—through philanthropy and media partnerships—to alleviate financial pressures on NCAA institutions. But time is running out.” The letter urges the track and field community to “raise awareness,” push media coverage through outlets like 60 Minutes and NBC Nightly News, and involve organizations such as USOPC and USA Track & Field.
USATF leaders urge NCAA to protect Track and Field
A storm is brewing in collegiate athletics, and USA Track & Field (USATF) is making sure everyone hears the warning. Last year, USATF CEO Max Siegel and president Vin Lananna penned a letter to the NCAA and major conference commissioners, urging them to safeguard track and field from the fallout of looming financial changes and the message was clear: “The threat of potential cutbacks looms darkly on sports like track and field,” the letter, obtained by Runner’s World, stated. “The ability to compete at the collegiate level… has unquestionably led to USA Track & Field’s historic, unprecedented success on the world stage.”
So, what’s causing all the concern? The House vs. NCAA settlement is shaking up the entire college sports landscape! The NCAA is now on the hook for $2.8 billion in back payments to athletes who missed out on NIL (name, image, and likeness) earnings before 2021. On top of that, schools will now have the option to share revenue with athletes. Sounds great, right? Maybe for some, especially football and basketball. But for non-revenue sports like track and field? The future isn’t as clear.
Most athletic departments already struggle to break even and with new financial pressures, will schools start cutting programs to save money? That’s the fear. Lananna, also the University of Virginia’s track director, isn’t sugarcoating it. “Anyone who thinks that those changes won’t be dramatic is not paying attention,” he told Runner’s World.
The NCAA’s Power Five conferences, which are the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and what remains of the Pac-12, are facing tough choices. Do they spread resources evenly? Or will smaller sports like track and field take the hit? Even schools that don’t opt into revenue sharing could feel the squeeze, as the NCAA pulls back funding to cover its settlement costs.
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