OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The landmark $2.8 billion settlement that will reach into every corner of college athletics in the months ahead had its final hearing Monday, including athletes who criticized the sprawling plan as confusing and one that undervalued them, and attorneys who said they were concerned about the impacts on campuses across the country.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken gave no indication Monday the complaints have changed her mind, though she acknowledged the concerns and asked attorneys for fresh feedback on several topics. The plan is expected to move forward with her final decision coming in a few weeks.
“Basically I think it is a good settlement, don’t quote me, and I think it’s worth pursuing,” Wilken said. “I think some of these things could be fixed if people tried to fix them and that it would be worth their while to try to fix them.”
She asked both sides to come back in a week with how they might be able to address some of her concerns, saying, “Some of them are big-ticket items, some of them aren’t.” Then, there would need to be some re-drafting done, she said.
Wilken has already granted preliminary approval of the settlement involving the NCAA and the nation’s five largest conferences. The plan remains on track to take effect July 1 and clear the way for every school to share up to $20.5 million each with its athletes annually.