CLEVELAND — The NCAA and the five power conferences have agreed to a settlement that paves the way for schools to pay student athletes.

What You Need To Know

  • Schools could soon pay student athletes 

  • This could be a factor when student athletes start to make decisions about where they want to go to college

  • High school athletes are excited for this opportunity 

According to multiple reports citing unnamed sources, the agreement includes the payment of nearly three billion dollars in damages to past and current athletes.

Per ESPN, sources said the parties have agreed to a revenue sharing plan that will allow each school to share up to about $20 million per year with its athletes. In return, the athletes cannot file other anti-trust suits against the NCAA. The settlement still needs to be signed off by a judge. If approved, schools can begin revenue sharing in the fall of 2025.

And this could be a huge factor when student athletes start to make decisions about where they want to go to college.

Dozens of high school athletes from all across northeast Ohio came together at John Carrol for the rising legends showcase. 

“Bring all the top kids together in the area and give ‘em an opportunity to mix and match, create a great competitive environment but also get to know other players around the city and communicate and network,” said Shaun Crawford, founder of the Local Legends Foundation.

He played football at Notre Dame in 2021, and now inspires young athletes to pursue their dreams. 

“The game is growing, and it all starts at the collegiate level with the die-hard fans and the support that they have. I am very excited for the current college athletes that are getting taken care of and doing something for the former athletes who paved the way,” Crawford said.

Crawford is excited that college student-athletes who play at schools in the Power 5 conferences will be able to get paid by the schools. He also is eligible to receive payment too. 

“I’ll definitely be looking forward to that check whatever it is, whatever amount it is, I mean I love the athletes being able to have the opportunity to have NIL right now just because you see how far the game is going,” Crawford said.

Payton Cook is a rising junior at Archbishop Hoban and plays wide receiver. He’s one of the top recruits in northeast Ohio, being recruited by some of the best schools in the Big Ten Conference. 

“It makes me feel good because when I get to college I can make some sort of income you know don’t want to be that broke college student and you know I built my name up and I want to be able to make something off of my name so it feels really good,” Cook said.

Some parents came out to support their children and watch the showcase. 

Cordale Scott has a son that hopes to play football at the college level. 

“I think it’s great to take advantage of your likeness you know so it’s not a big press on having to ply in the NFL, you can get a lot of your financial income early and be able to take care of yourself and your family, a lot of these kids come from the inner city so being able to get some funds in their pockets for their talent I think is great,” Scott said.