AAC Becomes First League With Revenue Sharing Floor, Livvy Dunne to Appear at NCAA Fairness Hearing, & More | Newsletter #310
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This Monday Newsletter includes:
1. American Athletic Conference first conference to set a 'minimum standard' revenue share at $10 million
2. April 7th NCAA House Fairness Hearing Updates
3. What’s coming up in the world of NIL
4. Legal Updates: Key Points From First NIL Hearing
5. News for administrators and student athletes
Major News
AAC sets 'minimum standard' revenue share at $10 million
On Friday, the American Athletic Conference agreed to a move to become the first conference to establish a minimum standard of benefits that schools are required to share with athletes.
As part of their “Minimum Investment Program,” schools must share with at least $10 million in cumulative additional benefits over a three-year period with their athletes starting in 2025. As part of the program, schools can include (1) up to $2.5 million in new scholarships, (2) direct revenue they share with athletes, and (3) up to $2.5 million in Alston payments, as additional benefits.
While the conference will not police how each school distributes the minimum requirement, schools that fail to meet the $10 million requirement at the conclusion of the 2027-28 academic year could be subject to a “review” of their membership status within the conference. Two members - Army and Navy - are excluded from this “review” as they are prohibited from opting into the House settlement.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Livvy Dunne Could Appear at NCAA House Fairness Hearing
On April 7th, their will be a major hearing for the NCAA’s settlement to resolve the House, Carter and Hubbard antitrust litigations; and on Tuesday, Judge Claudia Wilken issued an order detailing how the April 7th fairness hearing will work, and who will get to speak. One of the objectors that Judge Wilken has invited to appear and speak is LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne.
If approved, the settlement will compensate college athletes for lost NIL, video game and broadcasting opportunities on account of eligibility rules to the tune of around $2.8 billion over a 10-year-period; and, it will allow schools to share a portion of their revenue with athletes directly. Judge Wilken preliminarily approved the settlement last October, but she will have to issue an order that grants final approval or denial of the settlement in the weeks following the hearing.
Last month, Dunne - who is a star on social media and has landed millions in endorsement deals during her time at LSU - raised several objections to Judge Wilken, including “lack of transparency to how the calculations are being made for the estimate of lost NIL opportunities”.
Livvy Dunne, and other invitees, have until March 14 to indicate whether they will be appearing. If they appear, they will be asked to address whether and why Judge Wilken should reject the settlement.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Other Notable Stories to Follow
DJ Lagway donating a substantial amount of his NIL earnings to women’s sports - LINK
Which “NCAA Reform” groups are the most influential - LINK
Inside look at NIL earnings for California student athletes - LINK
“Kirby Smart bill” is dead in Georgia - LINK
What’s Coming Up Next For NIL
April 7, 2025 | NCAA House Fairness Hearing
June 15, 2025 | House Settlement Opt-in Date
Legal Updates
Democrats Talk NIH at Republicans’ First NIL Hearing,
Last Tuesday, the House Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee had a hearing on college sports NIL with little progress.
During the meeting, Democratic subcommittee members made it a point to linked the debate over Name, Image, and Likeness with President Trump’s recent efforts to limit National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to universities. In particular, many linked NIH cuts directly to college sports reform, arguing that reduced funding was weakening universities’ ability to address various challenges, including those related to their sports programs.
Although Tuesday’s hearing did not bring any meaningful progress towards any tangible legislation, the House Judiciary subcommittee agreed to have a second college sports panel this upcoming week.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Optimum Sports Consulting is here to help.
For athletes looking for NIL insight and advisement, administrators and collectives looking for resources and facilitating a best-in class process, or agents looking to navigate the changing landscape, we’re here to help!
Message us now for a free consultation.
FOR ATHLETES
Notes for the Week
WBB No. 1 recruit, Aaliyah Chavez, receiving NIL packages worth $1.5M annually - LINK
Shaq helps No.1 recruit, AJ Dybantsa, with off-court opportunities - LINK
FOR ADMINS
Notes for the Week
Bill Belichick plans to run UNC like the “33rd” NFL team - LINK
How important are college general managers? - LINK
Thanks for Reading!
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