The marathon legal battle regarding player compensation and the structure of college athletics in a landmark, multibillion-dollar antitrust case may have finally approached a critical stage. Attorneys involved in a $2.8 billion settlement filed a brief regarding roster limits in the House v. NCAA case, aiming to persuade a federal judge to approve it. Previous concerns expressed by Judge Claudia Wilken over these limits could impact the settlement’s approval.

Schools will have the option but not the obligation to reinstate players cut during the academic year without affecting the new roster limits coming into effect on July 1. This brief suggests that such exceptions are made at the school’s discretion, yet it remains uncertain if this will satisfy Judge Wilken’s request for all players to be ‘grandfathered’ into the agreement.

“In other words, there are no guarantees that designated student-athletes will get or maintain roster spots,” the attorneys representing the NCAA and power conferences stated.

High school seniors who had their scholarships revoked due to proposed roster limits will also be exempt. Pending the court’s decision, NCAA schools are prepared to distribute up to $20.5 million in revenue to their athletes.

Key aspects of the settlement include provisions for the sharing of back payments totaling $2.77 billion and new scholarship policies beginning July 1. If accepted, the settlement aims to address multiple antitrust lawsuits related to NCAA regulations and could reshape collegiate athletics in the years to come.