How will NCAA Settlement Change WLax?

[BigRedChant]

This is the most important issue in college sports right now.

As long as Title IX is in place - do you think wlax will be ok ?

[LiveLaxLove]

Not if WLax leadership doesn't create more fan interest. Other sports are way less of a drain than WLax (Women's BB actually makes money at a ton of schools).

Things that are ruining WLax fan interest:
-The draw -- I took someone who was a huge sports person to his first ever WLax game between two ACC teams, and he about lost his mind every time the refs took forever to get the sticks set with the ball wedged between them, only to have the ball shoot up in the air like a jump ball, followed by a round of "follow ball" like it's a Pee-wee soccer game. He said, "Does the men's game do this?! Clearly there's a better way to re-start the game!" He was also very frustrated with the 'make it, take it' aspect of the draw followed by a 90 second possession. His statement there -- "So if I win most of the ridiculous draws, unless I have an atrocious offense, I can pretty much kill most of the game? This sport is horribly managed." When I told him what happens when you false start, and how you could do it on purpose to gain possession, he was ready to leave.

-The complex rules -- what new fan can understand the rules if there are parents in the stands that have watched tons of games that don't even have a confident grasp of the rules? Even more so, there's even coaches admitting that the rules are so complex that they don't feel like they know every rule.

-The mind-numbing post-season selection process -- It's very clear to me that this process is politically driven for D1 WLax. See Duke getting in over head to head losses/blowouts from other bubble teams, Maryland's seeding, and the history of questionable selections from these idiots.

I could go on and on, but it's clear that WLax isn't going to grow and become a priority at any school to balance Title 9 requirements if there's no interest.

[BigRedChant]

While I understand those thoughts about the draw - I just don’t want to lose the awesomeness of the stick drop.

Without a ride - shot clock definitely needs to be dramatically reduced .

[laxdadpat]

Not if WLax leadership doesn't create more fan interest. Other sports are way less of a drain than WLax (Women's BB actually makes money at a ton of schools).

Things that are ruining WLax fan interest:
-The draw -- I took someone who was a huge sports person to his first ever WLax game between two ACC teams, and he about lost his mind every time the refs took forever to get the sticks set with the ball wedged between them, only to have the ball shoot up in the air like a jump ball, followed by a round of "follow ball" like it's a Pee-wee soccer game. He said, "Does the men's game do this?! Clearly there's a better way to re-start the game!" He was also very frustrated with the 'make it, take it' aspect of the draw followed by a 90 second possession. His statement there -- "So if I win most of the ridiculous draws, unless I have an atrocious offense, I can pretty much kill most of the game? This sport is horribly managed." When I told him what happens when you false start, and how you could do it on purpose to gain possession, he was ready to leave.

-The complex rules -- what new fan can understand the rules if there are parents in the stands that have watched tons of games that don't even have a confident grasp of the rules? Even more so, there's even coaches admitting that the rules are so complex that they don't feel like they know every rule.

-The mind-numbing post-season selection process -- It's very clear to me that this process is politically driven for D1 WLax. See Duke getting in over head to head losses/blowouts from other bubble teams, Maryland's seeding, and the history of questionable selections from these idiots.

I could go on and on, but it's clear that WLax isn't going to grow and become a priority at any school to balance Title 9 requirements if there's no interest.

The draw comment has validity for someone new to the game. I always say woman's lacrosse is a similar game to basketball. An argument could be made to have the ball start with the goalie after surrendering a goal. It's already done in winter leagues. That's what is done after a basket in basketball. It would speed up the game as well. I am a fan of the draw for both men and women.

Does this make it unfair if a team has a superior draw specialist? No, the draw is the most dramatic part of a women's lacrosse game in any close game in the fourth quarter. I love the drama and pause(it needs to be a slight pause) in action, but the delay needs to be shorted to keep the game moving. It's not an automatic goal from winning the draw, but a clear advantage that adds another good wrinkle to the game.

A great draw specialist doesn't have close to the same impact as great quarterbacks, pitchers or elite basketball players impact on games. Finding ways to create more drama makes any game better. The women's game does need to speed up the delay after each goal to keep people's attention while watching on tv.

[BigRedChant]

If attendance and viewership is critically important - game times MUST change.

Who can go to/watch a game at noon on a weekday ?

Important weekend games need to be spaced out.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

Not if WLax leadership doesn't create more fan interest. Other sports are way less of a drain than WLax (Women's BB actually makes money at a ton of schools).

Things that are ruining WLax fan interest:
-The draw -- I took someone who was a huge sports person to his first ever WLax game between two ACC teams, and he about lost his mind every time the refs took forever to get the sticks set with the ball wedged between them, only to have the ball shoot up in the air like a jump ball, followed by a round of "follow ball" like it's a Pee-wee soccer game. He said, "Does the men's game do this?! Clearly there's a better way to re-start the game!" He was also very frustrated with the 'make it, take it' aspect of the draw followed by a 90 second possession. His statement there -- "So if I win most of the ridiculous draws, unless I have an atrocious offense, I can pretty much kill most of the game? This sport is horribly managed." When I told him what happens when you false start, and how you could do it on purpose to gain possession, he was ready to leave.

-The complex rules -- what new fan can understand the rules if there are parents in the stands that have watched tons of games that don't even have a confident grasp of the rules? Even more so, there's even coaches admitting that the rules are so complex that they don't feel like they know every rule.

-The mind-numbing post-season selection process -- It's very clear to me that this process is politically driven for D1 WLax. See Duke getting in over head to head losses/blowouts from other bubble teams, Maryland's seeding, and the history of questionable selections from these idiots.

I could go on and on, but it's clear that WLax isn't going to grow and become a priority at any school to balance Title 9 requirements if there's no interest.

Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions and initial impressions. The above impressions about the game itself are utterly foreign to me. I remember the very first time I saw women's lacrosse streaming online back in 2014 I was mesmerized. What's this! I remember saying to myself. Sure, it took me a while to learn most of the relevant rules (for a fan), but I was so taken with the sport that I didn't mind at all.

Some sports just don't appeal to some folks. Like soccer for me--I've tried watching it a few times over the years. Does absolutely nothing for me. Everyone has their preferences.

I love the drama of the draw. The sport has made it better to allow only 6 players between the 30's. How critical the draw can be late in a tight game!

None of the items brought up are ruining this women's lacrosse fan's interest. Though I miss the intensity of the ride/redefend, I got used to the green cards between the 30's. In the grand scheme of things, it's been inconsequential to my ultimate enjoyment of the game.

With the way the sport is exploding in popularity across the USA in all school age children and teens, I'm sure there will always be college programs that want women's lacrosse. And I hope they never listen to the casual observer who wants to revamp the sport in order to make it more palatable for the masses. Let 'em eat cake!

[WLaxdad]

Not if WLax leadership doesn't create more fan interest. Other sports are way less of a drain than WLax (Women's BB actually makes money at a ton of schools).

Things that are ruining WLax fan interest:
-The draw -- I took someone who was a huge sports person to his first ever WLax game between two ACC teams, and he about lost his mind every time the refs took forever to get the sticks set with the ball wedged between them, only to have the ball shoot up in the air like a jump ball, followed by a round of "follow ball" like it's a Pee-wee soccer game. He said, "Does the men's game do this?! Clearly there's a better way to re-start the game!" He was also very frustrated with the 'make it, take it' aspect of the draw followed by a 90 second possession. His statement there -- "So if I win most of the ridiculous draws, unless I have an atrocious offense, I can pretty much kill most of the game? This sport is horribly managed." When I told him what happens when you false start, and how you could do it on purpose to gain possession, he was ready to leave.

-The complex rules -- what new fan can understand the rules if there are parents in the stands that have watched tons of games that don't even have a confident grasp of the rules? Even more so, there's even coaches admitting that the rules are so complex that they don't feel like they know every rule.

-The mind-numbing post-season selection process -- It's very clear to me that this process is politically driven for D1 WLax. See Duke getting in over head to head losses/blowouts from other bubble teams, Maryland's seeding, and the history of questionable selections from these idiots.

I could go on and on, but it's clear that WLax isn't going to grow and become a priority at any school to balance Title 9 requirements if there's no interest.

The draw is one of my favorite parts of the game. When the ball fly's high and two players jump for it, one times it better and swipes it out of the air that's fun stuff.

I know this is controversial but as someone who has a youth player I see the game getting more physical and I think this could take away from the sport. Seems like they need to keep the girls as safe as possible, my suggestion would be to actually call and card the fouls. OR give up and give the girls helmets, pads etc... We were at a tournament last weekend and I saw an 11 year old get a concussion by getting hit in the head with a stick. That kind of stuff along with the kidney hits makes new parents think twice. To me the best way to build the sport would be to get more youth playing (already happening very fast anyway) that way they grow up to watch/support.

[wgdsr]

This is the most important issue in college sports right now.

As long as Title IX is in place - do you think wlax will be ok ?

wlax will be in a great space for all the wrangling in college sports as long as the powers that be don't find a workaound to title ix. namely, getting their revenues and athletes off the schools' books in creating their superleagues for basketball and (mostly) football.

men's lax will have to keep their head on a swivel.

[forthelaxofit]

Not if WLax leadership doesn't create more fan interest. Other sports are way less of a drain than WLax (Women's BB actually makes money at a ton of schools).

Things that are ruining WLax fan interest:
-The draw -- I took someone who was a huge sports person to his first ever WLax game between two ACC teams, and he about lost his mind every time the refs took forever to get the sticks set with the ball wedged between them, only to have the ball shoot up in the air like a jump ball, followed by a round of "follow ball" like it's a Pee-wee soccer game. He said, "Does the men's game do this?! Clearly there's a better way to re-start the game!" He was also very frustrated with the 'make it, take it' aspect of the draw followed by a 90 second possession. His statement there -- "So if I win most of the ridiculous draws, unless I have an atrocious offense, I can pretty much kill most of the game? This sport is horribly managed." When I told him what happens when you false start, and how you could do it on purpose to gain possession, he was ready to leave.

-The complex rules -- what new fan can understand the rules if there are parents in the stands that have watched tons of games that don't even have a confident grasp of the rules? Even more so, there's even coaches admitting that the rules are so complex that they don't feel like they know every rule.

-The mind-numbing post-season selection process -- It's very clear to me that this process is politically driven for D1 WLax. See Duke getting in over head to head losses/blowouts from other bubble teams, Maryland's seeding, and the history of questionable selections from these idiots.

I could go on and on, but it's clear that WLax isn't going to grow and become a priority at any school to balance Title 9 requirements if there's no interest.

Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions and initial impressions. The above impressions about the game itself are utterly foreign to me. I remember the very first time I saw women's lacrosse streaming online back in 2014 I was mesmerized. What's this! I remember saying to myself. Sure, it took me a while to learn most of the relevant rules (for a fan), but I was so taken with the sport that I didn't mind at all.

Some sports just don't appeal to some folks. Like soccer for me--I've tried watching it a few times over the years. Does absolutely nothing for me. Everyone has their preferences.

I love the drama of the draw. The sport has made it better to allow only 6 players between the 30's. How critical the draw can be late in a tight game!

None of the items brought up are ruining this women's lacrosse fan's interest. Though I miss the intensity of the ride/redefend, I got used to the green cards between the 30's. In the grand scheme of things, it's been inconsequential to my ultimate enjoyment of the game.

With the way the sport is exploding in popularity across the USA in all school age children and teens, I'm sure there will always be college programs that want women's lacrosse. And I hope they never listen to the casual observer who wants to revamp the sport in order to make it more palatable for the masses. Let 'em eat cake!

I posted this a couple months ago. The narrative is women’s lacrosse is rapidly growing. Not the case in HS according to data in link below. Less HS girls played in 22/23 school year than 18/19. Some attribute this to the delay to “Covid rebound”. Maybe, but I feel like that is a long time to rebound if such a popular sport.

I would be all for speeding up the game. I would like the modified draw format. Redraw only after every third goal, goalie clear on others. Move the green card to the second foul on redefend, not the first (or third). Other sports modify the game to increase interest – time for it here.

And something has to be done to get more parity at college level. Covid clingers finally moving on hopefully helps, but these super teams via portal All-American grabs don’t help. Watching the same 4 teams does not support growth and interest. True in professional sports, true here. Average fan wants new teams, new stories, etc.

https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-co ... y-archive/

[LaxDadMax]

Not if WLax leadership doesn't create more fan interest. Other sports are way less of a drain than WLax (Women's BB actually makes money at a ton of schools).

Things that are ruining WLax fan interest:
-The draw -- I took someone who was a huge sports person to his first ever WLax game between two ACC teams, and he about lost his mind every time the refs took forever to get the sticks set with the ball wedged between them, only to have the ball shoot up in the air like a jump ball, followed by a round of "follow ball" like it's a Pee-wee soccer game. He said, "Does the men's game do this?! Clearly there's a better way to re-start the game!" He was also very frustrated with the 'make it, take it' aspect of the draw followed by a 90 second possession. His statement there -- "So if I win most of the ridiculous draws, unless I have an atrocious offense, I can pretty much kill most of the game? This sport is horribly managed." When I told him what happens when you false start, and how you could do it on purpose to gain possession, he was ready to leave.

-The complex rules -- what new fan can understand the rules if there are parents in the stands that have watched tons of games that don't even have a confident grasp of the rules? Even more so, there's even coaches admitting that the rules are so complex that they don't feel like they know every rule.

-The mind-numbing post-season selection process -- It's very clear to me that this process is politically driven for D1 WLax. See Duke getting in over head to head losses/blowouts from other bubble teams, Maryland's seeding, and the history of questionable selections from these idiots.

I could go on and on, but it's clear that WLax isn't going to grow and become a priority at any school to balance Title 9 requirements if there's no interest.

Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions and initial impressions. The above impressions about the game itself are utterly foreign to me. I remember the very first time I saw women's lacrosse streaming online back in 2014 I was mesmerized. What's this! I remember saying to myself. Sure, it took me a while to learn most of the relevant rules (for a fan), but I was so taken with the sport that I didn't mind at all.

Some sports just don't appeal to some folks. Like soccer for me--I've tried watching it a few times over the years. Does absolutely nothing for me. Everyone has their preferences.

I love the drama of the draw. The sport has made it better to allow only 6 players between the 30's. How critical the draw can be late in a tight game!

None of the items brought up are ruining this women's lacrosse fan's interest. Though I miss the intensity of the ride/redefend, I got used to the green cards between the 30's. In the grand scheme of things, it's been inconsequential to my ultimate enjoyment of the game.

With the way the sport is exploding in popularity across the USA in all school age children and teens, I'm sure there will always be college programs that want women's lacrosse. And I hope they never listen to the casual observer who wants to revamp the sport in order to make it more palatable for the masses. Let 'em eat cake!

I posted this a couple months ago. The narrative is women’s lacrosse is rapidly growing. Not the case in HS according to data in link below. Less HS girls played in 22/23 school year than 18/19. Some attribute this to the delay to “Covid rebound”. Maybe, but I feel like that is a long time to rebound if such a popular sport.

I would be all for speeding up the game. I would like the modified draw format. Redraw only after every third goal, goalie clear on others. Move the green card to the second foul on redefend, not the first (or third). Other sports modify the game to increase interest – time for it here.

And something has to be done to get more parity at college level. Covid clingers finally moving on hopefully helps, but these super teams via portal All-American grabs don’t help. Watching the same 4 teams does not support growth and interest. True in professional sports, true here. Average fan wants new teams, new stories, etc.

https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-co ... y-archive/

To be fair about your initial point, a few states recently moved girls soccer from fall to spring sports in the past couple years. That will have a noticeable impact on girls lax #s since now lots of girls are forced to choose.

[BigRedChant]

I have to think getting recruited for soccer is a million times more difficult than lacrosse (and I know lax is tough) - since you are competing with the world

[BigRedChant]

Rather than get rid of the draw - keep it at the beginning of qtrs and what if we added to the strategy of the game by giving each coach 2-3 “draw cards”.

This card would allow the coach to call for a draw after a goal. Something like this would make the game move faster for most of the game - but still add that late game drama most of us love. (It also keeps the chance of a comeback alive).

The next question would be - should we still take a pause for a non draw goal to allow the stick drop. My gut says yes. Goal is scored, refs check stick, goalie puts the ball in play on the whistle. Unless coach calls for a draw.

[TNLAX]

I have seen old black and white clips of the women's game from 100 years ago and they used to have "face-offs" down on the ground like the men do today. Don't know when they started standing up for the draw, maybe someone on FANLAX knows the history.

I think having a face-off or draw after each goal is important and I would hate to see if go away. The refs and players have to do a better job setting up to take the draw. If a ref has to correct a players stick position more than once, it should be an illegal procedure call on that player and the opposing team should get the ball. Or maybe they should go back to the days of being on the ground like the men. Get in a set position, put the ball between the sticks and blow the whistle.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

I'll never understand the mindset that wants to speed up a game that is already typically over in 2 to 2-1/2 hours. What's the hurry?

[BigRedChant]

I'll never understand the mindset that wants to speed up a game that is already typically over in 2 to 2-1/2 hours. What's the hurry?

TV scheduling is the reason, if we are going to say they need to do a better job spacing out the prime games for maxing out viewers- there needs to be consistency in game time.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

I'll never understand the mindset that wants to speed up a game that is already typically over in 2 to 2-1/2 hours. What's the hurry?

TV scheduling is the reason, if we are going to say they need to do a better job spacing out the prime games for maxing out viewers- there needs to be consistency in game time.

As it stands, women's lacrosse games on the same network on the same day get 2-1/2 hours per slot. They allot the same amount of time per game per slot to the men. I don't see an issue.

[OuttaNowhereWregget]

"Don’t get me started on the chaos engulfing big-time college football and basketball. As I’ve long pointed out, we are the only country in which institutions of higher learning provide significant entertainment for the masses (Canada? Very low-key compared with us). But we always pretended the priority was Education. Ha! I’d love to know how many of these transfer portal people ever see a classroom in their new port of call.

It’s important to identify the true villains here. It’s not the coaches. It’s not the athletic directors. And it’s certainly not the, ahem, “student-athletes.” It’s the school presidents who have been seduced by the dollar sign. None of this insane conference realignment, or any other examples of the new nonsense, takes place without their approval."

- Bob Ryan, Boston Globe

[LiveLaxLove]

Not if WLax leadership doesn't create more fan interest. Other sports are way less of a drain than WLax (Women's BB actually makes money at a ton of schools).

Things that are ruining WLax fan interest:
-The draw -- I took someone who was a huge sports person to his first ever WLax game between two ACC teams, and he about lost his mind every time the refs took forever to get the sticks set with the ball wedged between them, only to have the ball shoot up in the air like a jump ball, followed by a round of "follow ball" like it's a Pee-wee soccer game. He said, "Does the men's game do this?! Clearly there's a better way to re-start the game!" He was also very frustrated with the 'make it, take it' aspect of the draw followed by a 90 second possession. His statement there -- "So if I win most of the ridiculous draws, unless I have an atrocious offense, I can pretty much kill most of the game? This sport is horribly managed." When I told him what happens when you false start, and how you could do it on purpose to gain possession, he was ready to leave.

-The complex rules -- what new fan can understand the rules if there are parents in the stands that have watched tons of games that don't even have a confident grasp of the rules? Even more so, there's even coaches admitting that the rules are so complex that they don't feel like they know every rule.

-The mind-numbing post-season selection process -- It's very clear to me that this process is politically driven for D1 WLax. See Duke getting in over head to head losses/blowouts from other bubble teams, Maryland's seeding, and the history of questionable selections from these idiots.

I could go on and on, but it's clear that WLax isn't going to grow and become a priority at any school to balance Title 9 requirements if there's no interest.

The draw comment has validity for someone new to the game. I always say woman's lacrosse is a similar game to basketball. An argument could be made to have the ball start with the goalie after surrendering a goal. It's already done in winter leagues. That's what is done after a basket in basketball. It would speed up the game as well. I am a fan of the draw for both men and women.

Does this make it unfair if a team has a superior draw specialist? No, the draw is the most dramatic part of a women's lacrosse game in any close game in the fourth quarter. I love the drama and pause(it needs to be a slight pause) in action, but the delay needs to be shorted to keep the game moving. It's not an automatic goal from winning the draw, but a clear advantage that adds another good wrinkle to the game.

A great draw specialist doesn't have close to the same impact as great quarterbacks, pitchers or elite basketball players impact on games. Finding ways to create more drama makes any game better. The women's game does need to speed up the delay after each goal to keep people's attention while watching on tv.

If I were a college coach, I'd never waste a scholarship on a draw specialist. I'd false start on every draw and guarantee myself an even draw split every time.
Scholarship #s just went out the window anyway with the settlement today. Schools are now able to flat out pay players. Who cares about a scholarship when I can pay my entire team?

[laxdadpat]

A false start gives the ball to the other team every time. If the ball doesn't go above the shoulders, it's alternating possessions. I'm sure there are some other rules for the draw.

[Seacoaster(1)]

Article in the Post today about the settlement, the details of which are still awaiting negotiation and agreement:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2 ... e-sharing/

"The NCAA and its five power conferences have approved a deal that paves the way for schools to pay athletes directly, a change that would crush any last notions of amateurism in major college sports.

The agreement, which settles three antitrust cases and was voted on throughout this week, includes almost $2.8 billion in damages. That money will be distributed to current and former athletes, who sued in House v. NCAA over not being compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) on television broadcasts.

In a joint statement Thursday night, the NCAA and its conferences announced that they had agreed to the settlement terms. And no matter how high the damages are, the most far-reaching component is a new revenue-sharing model, which would pay athletes a cut of money their schools generate from broadcast rights deals, ticket sales and sponsorships, among other streams.

Should the settlement go through, revenue sharing would likely begin at the start of the 2025-26 academic year, a seismic shift considering how long the NCAA has refused to have schools compensate athletes. Yet many steps remain before that can happen.

For the next four to six weeks, lawyers from both sides will hammer out the details, though NCAA representatives don’t expect them to look much different than the initial agreement. Judge Claudia Wilken — who presided over major college sports cases such as O’Bannon v. NCAA and Alston v. NCAA — would then call a hearing to review the settlement terms. If she approves, current athletes would have a chance to object or opt out of the agreement. Then, as a final step, Wilken would consider any objections before making her final decision. Attorneys estimate the whole process could take between six and eight months.

“The five autonomy conferences and the NCAA agreeing to settlement terms is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come,” the NCAA and conferences said in their joint statement. “This settlement is also a road map for college sports leaders and Congress to ensure this uniquely American institution can continue to provide unmatched opportunity for millions of students.”

On Wednesday, the NCAA’s Board of Governors voted to implement the settlement terms. It was a landmark moment in that, though they had been heavily prodded, the NCAA’s top decision-makers approved a system for schools to directly pay athletes. The SEC and Pac-12, the last of the five conferences to vote, approved the settlement Thursday. The defendants in House, the most significant of the cases, were the NCAA, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Pac-12.

If Wilken ultimately approves the settlement, the NCAA would reshape its budget to account for 40 percent of the nearly $2.8 billion in damages. The other 60 percent would be paid by schools across the next decade, most notably through the NCAA withholding some of its March Madness revenue distributions each year. Beyond revenue sharing, the settlement could also establish a new model for at least the power conferences to make and enforce their own rules, according to Yahoo. It’s just another sign of how stratified college sports are in 2024.

As for the revenue-sharing cap, the exact number is still being finalized. But people familiar with the negotiations have mentioned a cap of about $20 million, formulated by taking about 22 percent of the average power conference school’s main revenue streams. The cap will rise slightly each year, then be reset every three years to keep pace with revenue growth. According to Yahoo, a school’s cap spending could include up to $5 million in education-related payments — known as Alston money — and additional scholarships. NIL collectives, the donor-funded groups that have paid quasi-salaries to athletes in revenue sports, should maintain a heavy influence in football and men’s basketball recruiting, though the NCAA is hoping to reimpose stricter rules on how and when collectives can negotiate with athletes.

In the past month, settlement talks went into overdrive because the NCAA and the power conferences wanted to avoid a January trial at all costs. Given the NCAA’s recent track record in court, the defendants clearly didn’t like their chances. If they would have lost at trial, the damages would have tripled. They also would have had to pay them immediately instead of over a 10-year period. But in the past week — despite being happy with the overall outcome — nonpower conferences have voiced displeasure about how the financial liability will be distributed.

With the proposal the NCAA, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and Pac-12 voted on, the power conferences will pay 40 percent of the damages owed from schools. The other 27 conferences will shoulder the remaining 60 percent. Beyond damages, the power conferences will pay for legal fees and the potential addition of scholarships. Many power conference schools would also spend to the revenue-sharing cap. (Because revenue sharing will be optional, lower-revenue leagues are expected to refrain.) Either way, the nonpower conferences’ argument about the damages payments is simple: Not only are they not defendants in the suit, but a large share of the damages will be paid out to former power conference football and men’s basketball players.

“Based on the numbers we have reviewed, the liability of the … non-[Football Bowl Subdivision] conferences under the proposed formula appears disproportionately high, particularly because the primary beneficiaries of the NIL ‘back pay’ amounts are expected to be FBS football players,” Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman wrote in an email to her schools, which was first publicized by Yahoo on Sunday.

“I have voiced the Big East’s strong objections to the proposed damages framework through recent emails to [NCAA President] Charlie Baker and his counsel and through comments during commissioner calls over the past two weeks.”

While the settlement agreement answers some questions, it leaves many more unanswered. One potential complication is Fontenot v. NCAA, a fourth antitrust case brought by a different set of lawyers.

Jeffrey Kessler, a lead plaintiffs’ attorney in House along with Steve Berman, is also representing athletes in Hubbard and Carter, making it easier to consolidate those three cases. Kessler and Berman had hoped to fold in Fontenot, too, which would have offered more clarity on how much antitrust protection the NCAA (and its schools and conferences) would get from a settlement. But on Thursday, a Colorado judge denied the motion to consolidate Fontenot with the other cases.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys in Fontenot, who are against consolidating, have signaled that some athletes would oppose the settlement terms for House, Hubbard and Carter. How many athletes — and whether it would be enough to shake up a reshaped system — is unclear, though those answers will probably depend on what the final settlement looks like. It is also possible Fontenot could be resolved by the settlement at a later date, according to multiple lawyers. NCAA representatives are confident Fontenot will not interfere with the settlement agreed on this week.

“Fontenot doesn’t have any relevance if our settlement is approved by the courts,” Kessler told The Washington Post on Thursday, adding that, because of the similarities between Carter and Fontenot, it was more important to consolidate Fontenot before Carter was lumped in with House and Hubbard. “Because our settlement will totally resolve all the claims in Fontenot.”

The House, Hubbard and Carter settlement also doesn’t address employment, meaning the NCAA will keep lobbying Congress to pass a bill that keeps athletes from becoming employees and receiving the rights that come with that status. To that end, the level of antitrust protection with this settlement — to shield the NCAA and its members from similar lawsuits in the future — remains murky.

Starting with this coming fall’s freshmen, athletes would have a choice to opt into the new revenue-sharing model. That system was devised by Berman and Kessler and was a critical part of the settlement agreement. Experts and conference officials originally thought there were two avenues to settling without the risk of the NCAA being immediately sued again on similar grounds: a collective bargaining agreement (which was always unrealistic because college athletes are not unionized) or a congressional bill that included some level of antitrust protection (which the NCAA has been lobbying for unsuccessfully for years). Then the opt-in system emerged as option three.

If an athlete objected to the terms, they would have a chance to argue their case in a hearing. The NCAA hopes that, for at least the next 10 years, settling House, Hubbard and Carter together — and having the opt-in system for revenue sharing — will lower the frequency and success rate for antitrust suits over athlete compensation, even with Fontenot lingering. A handful of antitrust experts and power conference officials are not as confident.

Beyond employment, the NCAA will keep pushing Congress for stronger antitrust protections and a preemption on state laws, making it so it can enforce rules without being sued by state attorneys general. The legal and political jockeying are far from over.

“The settlement, though undesirable in many respects and promising only temporary stability, is necessary to avoid what would be the bankruptcy of college athletics,” Notre Dame president John I. Jenkins said in a statement. “To save the great American institution of college sports, Congress must pass legislation that will preempt the current patchwork of state laws; establish that our athletes are not employees, but students seeking college degrees; and provide protection from further antitrust lawsuits that will allow colleges to make and enforce rules that will protect our student-athletes and help ensure competitive equity among our teams.”

And there are major questions about how revenue sharing will work. How will the money be distributed? How will Title IX apply, especially with the NCAA leaving that up to each school? Will a potential hard cap invite antitrust scrutiny? To handle the additional expenses, will schools turn to private equity, especially after two firms announced Wednesday that they’re open for business in college sports?

It won’t be a quiet summer. But in an era of nonstop change, that’s certainly nothing new."