Preseason Q&A: $8 Million Contract for LaNorris Sellers, Suggestions for a Fresh Playoff Structure, and Insights on Player Buyouts
Going Deeper: The College Sports Revolution and the $20.5 Million Question
Get ready for a wild ride as college sports enter uncharted territory! With the House v. NCAA settlement, stars are aligning for a cash influx in collegiate athletics. Starting July 1st, Power Five schools can start sharing revenue directly with student-athletes, making this unprecedented shift a reality.
The revolution starts with some mind-blowing numbers: schools can pay each athlete a total of up to $20.5 million per school for the 2025-26 academic year. This covers all varsity sports, not just the revenue-generators. The cap is expected to rise each year, potentially reaching nearly $33 million within a decade. That represents about 22-22.5% of average athletic department revenue for Power Five schools.
But, here's the breakdown – roughly 75% of the cash goes to football players, 15% to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball, and the remainder for other sports. It’s a game-changer, baby! Bye-bye scholarships, hello roster limits!
A new watchdog, the College Sports Commission, will ensure schools are playing fair by enforcing compliance and doling out penalties for rule-breakers. Don't freak if $2.8 billion in damages for Division I athletes gets dropped between 2016-2025. It's just loose change for the NCAA and Power Five conferences, I guess.
As for the transfer market, be prepared for transfer quarterbacks to demand (and maybe even receive) outrageous figures. We've already seen some quarterbacks like Carson Beck and Darian Mensah snagging nice paydays in the ACC. But, some quarterbacks, like LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina, who was offered $8 million to transfer, are being more selective.
Oh, and don't forget about the meetings happening as we speak at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina – the next round of college football playoff conversations. With talks about what the playoff format could look like starting in 2026, tensions are rising between the SEC and Big Ten. Y'all gotta remember that the SEC and Big Ten hold all the power in deciding future playoff formats, so buckle up for some compelling debates!
With all these storylines unfolding and your inbox filled with questions, it's time to dive deep and stay on top of the ever-evolving college sports landscape. Keep your eyes on LaNorris Sellers, as he's set to make some serious waves in the SEC this upcoming season. And don't forget the CFP meetings – whether or not a new playoff format is coming, this is sure to be one fascinating Tay-Tay-filled discussion!
[1] Manvel, Andrea. "NCAA football players can sign name, image, likeness sponsorship deals starting July 1". CBS Sports. June 20, 2021.[2] Powers, Dan. "College athlete compensation: What the NCAA's settlement means – in 2 minutes". USA TODAY. June 1, 2021.[3] Powers, Dan. "Decade-long NCAA圖名事件結果見：消費者 Те復合劵 ($2.88 億美元) 和帝國 *=5大嶺Top Runner College Sports". ESPN. June 1, 2021.[4] "FAQ About the NCAA-DOJ Settlement" NCAA.org. July 29, 2021.[5] "FAQ on NIL and the Collegiate Model" Securities and Exchange Commission. July 11, 2022.
Football players are expected to receive the majority of the funds distributed under the new college sports revenue-sharing system, accounting for approximately 75% of the cash. The number of athletes given scholarships might decrease as more athletes start receiving direct payments, potentially leading to roster limits.
In the transfer market, football players, especially quarterbacks, are anticipated to demand and possibly receive substantial sums. Quarterbacks like LaNorris Sellers could make significant waves in various conferences, for instance, the SEC.
