Sports
What the NCAA Settlement Means for Them
Key Takeaways
- Division I schools can now pay athletes directly under the House v. NCAA settlement, with schools sharing roughly $20 million worth of revenue with current players.
- Former athletes could receive settlement payments, but appeals may delay payouts for years.
- Current athletes should plan for taxes on these payments, while former athletes should be wary of companies offering to buy their settlement claims.
This summer, a federal judge approved the House v. NCAA settlement, marking a major shift in college sports: For the first time, Division I schools can now directly pay their athletes.
Under the new rules, current athletes will share roughly $20 million in annual revenue, while former athletes—those who played between 2016 and 2024—may be eligible for backpay totaling around $2.8 billion.
“It’s a big change from the way college athletics has operated,” said Mit Winter, an attorney at KennyHertz Perry.
What Does This Change Mean for College Athletes?
Until now, college athletes could earn money from companies by using their name, image, and likeness (NIL). That income usually came through boosters or NIL collectives.
“College athletes have been able to receive NIL compensation since July 1, 2021, said Winter. “Since then, most of the NIL compensation paid to athletes has come from boosters, and what are known as NIL collectives, which are basically groups of boosters at a school that got together and formed a company that then contracted with athletes to pay them for their NIL rights.”
Trevor Kent, 26, a former football player at Northwestern University from 2017 to 2022, went to college on a full-ride scholarship and had never expected to receive compensation for playing.
“I think people always talked about [getting paid]… But we never talked about it, like in the format it is now, where guys are getting actual salaries,” said Kent.
In 2021, when players could start profiting off their NIL, Kent said that he didn’t reap many of the benefits of the change either.
“When those rules changed, they were really not well understood,” said Kent. “I remember we had a couple of guys on our team get sponsorships, and we got some free food from local restaurants, but it was still kind of a grey area—do we need to sign a contract? What’s allowed?”
Now, athletes will receive compensation not only for their NIL rights but will also receive a portion of ticket and media revenue from schools.
When Will College Athletes Start Getting Paid?
Although the settlement has been approved, there’s still some uncertainty about what happens now. While some current athletes are already being paid, former athletes may have to wait a while to receive back pay.
According to Winter, the $20 million that schools can divvy up annually among current players will primarily go towards male athletes.
“Schools are going to pay around 90% to 95% of that money to their men’s football and basketball players. The remaining 5% to 10% to other sports, and that varies by school,” said Winter.
Winter says that current players should be prepared to pay taxes on the income they receive. College athletes are still not considered employees of the college, and, therefore, will not receive 1099 forms.
“They [the college] are not taking out taxes, so don’t go spend it all because you’re gonna have to pay taxes on it, and invest it,” said Winter.
As for former college athletes, most of the $2.8 billion backpay is also expected to go towards male players. Former athletes are expected to receive annual payments spread out over the next ten years.
Kent says that of the former players he knows who were on scholarship, the backpay settlement amounts range from roughly $80,000 to $160,000 per player. However, since the settlement has been subject to numerous appeals, back-payments are stalled until the appeals are decided, which could be a year or more, according to Winter.
“It still has all the legal hurdles to jump through, so it’s going to be a couple of years before it all passes… It’s nice to have and you’re slightly rewarded for some of the efforts you put in [during] college,” said Kent. “Sure, I’ll take it, but compared to the starters who are getting $100,000 now…”
The Bottom Line
Under the House settlement, current Division I players can now be paid directly by colleges, though they will not be considered employees. For current athletes, it’s best to set aside some money, as taxes have not been taken out of those payments.
Some former college athletes may be eligible for back damages as well, but it could take these players many years to receive payment due to the number of outstanding appeals. Winter also suggests that these players exercise caution when it comes to companies that promise to purchase athletes’ settlement claims
“They’ll say, we know you’re going to be owed $100,000 over a 10-year period. We’ll pay you 10% up front, and we get to collect your checks over that 10-year period,” said Winter. “Really think long and hard about entering these types of deals before you do it. From a financial perspective, it may not be in your best interest.”
Dec. 20, 2025, 12:39 p.m. CT
- Former Florida middle blocker Jaela Auguste has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team.
- Auguste was a 2025 AVCA third-team All-American and the SEC’s 2024 freshman of the year.
- The 6-foot-2 transfer has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Wisconsin volleyball has made its first big splash in the transfer portal.
Ex-Florida middle blocker Jaela Auguste has committed to the Badgers via the transfer portal, she announced on Instagram on Dec. 20.
Auguste was a 2025 AVCA third-team All-American after averaging 2.69 kills per set and 0.98 blocks per set while hitting .344. Her hitting percentage was eighth-best in the SEC this season. She also was the SEC’s 2024 freshman of the year after starting in 29 matches and hitting .404.
“So beyond excited to announce my commitment to Wisconsin!” Auguste said in her Instagram post. “So grateful to be able to continue my career at such a great program! Thank you to all the people who have helped and believed in me through this process!!”
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker has two seasons of eligibility remaining. She fills a key void for the 2026 Badgers, as starting middle blockers Carter Booth and Alicia Andrew were seniors in 2025.
![Florida middle blocker Jaela Auguste (4) slams past Texas during an NCAA women’s volleyball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactec arena in Gainesville, FL on Friday, November 7, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://www.jsonline.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/11/08/NTGS/87159497007-gai-fl-tn-volleyball-42806.jpg?width=660&height=466&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She is the Badgers’ first transfer portal commitment following the 2025 season. Five UW players have departed via the portal – Addy Horner, Aniya Warren, Maile Chan, Tosia Serafinowska and Trinity Shadd-Ceres.
Sports
At the AVCA Major League Volleyball All-America / Players of the Year Banquet presented by Nike, Brooklyn DeLeye was recognized as a 2025 AVCA All-American First Team selection. Reflecting on the honor, DeLeye shared: “This is such a high honor. We talk about grit, competitiveness, and joy all the time. Playing alongside my teammates this year has been amazing—I wouldn’t be here without them, our staff, and my family.” DeLeye’s season was marked by resilience, connection, and a shared commitment to excellence. Congratulations to Brooklyn DeLeye on her First Team All-American recognition.
Dec. 19, 2025, 7:33 p.m. CT
- Two Wisconsin volleyball freshmen, Aniya Warren and Addy Horner, have announced their intention to enter the transfer portal.
- Warren, a backup libero, and Horner, a backup setter, were behind other talented underclassmen on the roster.
Two Wisconsin volleyball freshmen appear to be taking their talents elsewhere in 2026.
Backup libero/defensive specialist Aniya Warren and backup setter Addy Horner are entering the transfer portal, they each announced on Instagram on Dec. 19.
Horner, in addition to sharing a post from a transfer portal account that listed her entry, said on her Instagram story that she is “beyond grateful” and thanked Badger nation. Warren said in an Instagram post that she is entering the portal to “explore new opportunities and continue my growth.”
“I want to start by sincerely thanking Wisconsin for welcoming me with open arms and so much love,” Warren said in the Instagram post. “A huge shoutout to the incredible coaching staff, my amazing teammates and the wonderful city of Madison for all the support and kindness I’ve received. This experience has meant the world to me.”
Both freshmen had impressive moments in the 2025 season, but were behind other talented underclassmen on the roster.
Starting libero Kristen Simon earned Big Ten all-freshman team honors as she averaged 3.47 digs per set. Charlie Fuerbringer, a third-team All-American in 2024, was an all-Big Ten first-team honoree in 2025 despite missing a month of the season with a shoulder injury.
Warren, the top-ranked libero in her recruiting class, appeared in 50 sets this season and totaled 65 digs and six reception errors. Horner, Prep Dig’s No. 1 setter in her recruiting class, appeared in 71 sets either as Fuerbringer’s injury replacement or a serving specialist.
The volleyball transfer portal window began on Dec. 7 and will continue until Jan. 5. Warren and Horner’s announcements come one day after the Badgers’ season-ending loss to Kentucky in the Final Four.
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TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Leah Bryan and Norah Eppley hold District 6 Class AA championship trophy together. Both were named to the Laurel Highland volleyball all-star team.
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TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.
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TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Emily Smith was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.
TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Leah Bryan and Norah Eppley hold District 6 Class AA championship trophy together. Both were named to the Laurel Highland volleyball all-star team.
Following its run to the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals in November, it comes as no surprise that the Bald Eagle Area volleyball team was well represented on this year’s Laurel Highlands all-star team. Four Eagles made the team, including two first teamers.
On the first team, Bald Eagle seniors Leah Bryan and Nora Eppley were present, earning accolades after prolific campaigns at outside hitter and libero respectively.
Fellow senior Casey Angellotti earned second-team honors at setter, and in just her second season, sophomore outside hitter Emily Smith also made the second team.
Apart from the Eagles, Bellefonte and Penns Valley also had all-star representatives. Penns Valley’s Peyton Wasson made the second team as a hitter while Bellefonte’s Colbie Frailey was named an honorable mention.
2025 LAUREL HIGHLAND VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.
FIRST TEAM
HITTERS
Leah Bryan, Bald Eagle; Addi Basenback, Hollidaysburg; Adi Jarrett, Philipsburg-Osceola; Kynlee Budny, Hollidaysburg.
SETTER
Delayni Baird, Hollidaysburg.
TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Emily Smith was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.
LIBERO/DS
Nora Eppley, Bald Eagle; Kenzi McLanahan, Hollidaysburg.
SECOND TEAM
HITTERS
Lily Metz, Huntingdon; Peyton Watson, Penns Valley; Rylan Crowell, Tyrone; Emily Smith, Bald Eagle.
SETTER
Casey Angellotti, Bald Eagle.
LIBERO/DS
Abigail Anthony, Tyrone.
HONORABLE MENTION
Sonny Diehl, Clearfield; Colbie Frailey, Bellefonte; Crosby Holt, Philipsburg-Osceola; Bailey Snyder, Tyrone.
The Wisconsin Badgers suffered a tough loss to the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA National Semifinal on Thursday, ending their season after an incredible postseason run.
One day later, five different players announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal: Freshman setter Addy Horner, sophomore outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres, freshman libero Aniya Warren, sophomore libero Maile Chan, and redshirt freshman middle blocker Tosia Serafinowska.
Horner, a native of Illinois, was considered the No. 1 setter in her class and the No. 2 player in her state coming out of high school last year by PrepDig. She stepped up during a big middle-of-the-season run when Charlie Fuerbringer was out due to injury. But, with the star sophomore still at Wisconsin for the next two years, it makes sense that Horner will look for other opportunities.
Shadd-Ceres played in four matches as a freshman. She saw action in nine games this year, including Wisconsin’s final three matches in the NCAA Tournament, recording three kills against Texas and one against Kentucky, subbing in late in both matches.
Warren was ranked the No. 1 libero in the Class of 2025, and her recruitment had a number of turns before she ended up at Wisconsin. She had seen time in the rotation early in the season and finished playing in 16 sets across nine games.
Chan, considered the No. 1 libero from the state of Oregon in her class, played in 25 matches across two seasons at Wisconsin. With freshman Kristen Simon entrenched at the libero spot to end the year, both Chan and Warren are heading elsewhere.
Lastly, Serafinowska is moving on with three years of eligibility left. She saw action in five games this year.
Those five outgoing transfers join seniors Mimi Colyer, Jada Cerniglia, Carter Booth, and Alicia Andrew as the players departing Wisconsin this offseason.
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At the AVCA Major League Volleyball All-America / Players of the Year Banquet presented by Nike, Brooklyn DeLeye was recognized as a 2025 AVCA All-American First Team selection. Reflecting on the honor, DeLeye shared: “This is such a high honor. We talk about grit, competitiveness, and joy all the time. Playing alongside my teammates this year has been amazing—I wouldn’t be here without them, our staff, and my family.” DeLeye’s season was marked by resilience, connection, and a shared commitment to excellence. Congratulations to Brooklyn DeLeye on her First Team All-American recognition.
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