Update from Martin Jarmond Following House v. NCAA Settlement
June 07, 2025 | Bruin Athletics
Dear Bruins,
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It's official. The college athletics model is about to undergo its most comprehensive reform to date. Friday night, a federal judge issued final approval of the settlement agreement in the House vs. NCAA class action lawsuits, making way for student-athlete revenue sharing, among other historic changes.
ย
Beginning July 1, universities will be permitted to compensate student-athletes through revenue sharing. As a member of the Big Ten Conference, in order to recognize the contributions of our student-athletes and continue to compete at an elite level, UCLA has committed to sharing the highest allowable amount, which will be $20.5 million the first year and will increase annually.
ย
The settlement also reshapes the current roster size and scholarship limits model. Roster limits will be imposed in each sport, setting a maximum number of student-athletes who can compete with that team in a given year. The final agreement includes provisions for a phased implementation and a grandfathering process to help protect current student-athletes. At UCLA, we are committed to working closely with our coaches to manage these changes thoughtfully and to support all current and prospective student-athletes through the transition.
ย
Meanwhile, scholarship limits among NCAA sports will be removed. Universities can provide as many scholarships as there are roster spots. But as the cost of each awarded scholarship at UCLA averages $65,000 per year, decisions must be made within the scope of available funding.
ย
After regular meetings with our head coaches and campus leadership, and following a thorough analysis of several proposed revenue sharing models, we have finalized a funding distribution structure for our athletic programs. Our goal is to uphold UCLA's tradition of broad-based excellence. In this new era, that will require competitively funding the programs that drive the majority of the revenue that supports our departmental operations. We also remain committed to sustaining the competitiveness of all athletic programs. Every Bruin student-athlete will continue to receive the resources to excel athletically and academically, ultimately graduating from the nation's #1 public institution.
ย
Another change: the College Sports Commission has been established to ensure compliance with the new rules around roster limits, revenue sharing and student-athlete third-party name, image and likeness (NIL) deals. All student-athlete third-party NIL agreements will be submitted to NIL Go, a clearinghouse created by the College Sports Commission with assistance from Deloitte. NIL Go will analyze deals to ensure the terms align with NCAA guidelines, including confirmation of a valid business purpose and fair market value.
ย
As I told you back in November, our administration has been hard at work planning our strategy for success. Here's how we are preparing for the changes that will be implemented for the 2025-26 academic year:
ย
โข Staffing & Technology โWe have added data analyst and recruiting evaluation positions designed to support and enhance the effectiveness of the new revenue sharing structure, and have invested in roster-building software to assist programs with strategically planning and preparing for the new funding model.
โข College Sports Commission Compliance โ The introduction of a new enforcement entity requires us to provide education directly to our student-athletes and third-party NIL partners to ensure understanding of the process and compliance by all parties.
โข Revenue Distribution โ We will partner with the Big Ten Conference to select a partner that will distribute revenue share stipends directly to student-athletes.
ย
In addition, $2.8 billion in NIL backpay to former student-athletes will be covered through a nationwide reduction in NCAA revenue sharing. UCLA will receive over $1 million less per year for the next 10 years.
ย
Our administration is committed to remaining both competitive and fiscally sustainable, while also continuing to support and develop our student-athletes, who are our North Star.
ย
Even with this ruling, questions remain. Two things are certain: this is an evolving situation, and UCLA will continue to be part of important conversations about the future of college athletics. In April, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with two UCLA Athletics colleagues to participate in College Sports Day on the Hill, which brought together lawmakers and hundreds of college athletics stakeholders advocating for legislation that establishes a national standard for NIL. More changes are ahead, and embracing change is the only way forward. Those who don't adapt will be left behind, and UCLA has never been left behind.
ย
This is a historic moment. We need you. Donating to the Wooden Athletic Fund is the most impactful way you can provide a championship-level experience for our student-athletes. In addition, for those interested in supporting student-athletes through NIL opportunities, UCLA's official NIL partners - Bruins for Life (football), Men of Westwood (men's basketball) and Champion of Westwood (women's basketball and Olympic sports) - offer another way to contribute.
ย
Together, we will ensure UCLA Athletics continues to attract and develop Champions.
ย
Go Bruins!
ย
Martin
ย
ย
It's official. The college athletics model is about to undergo its most comprehensive reform to date. Friday night, a federal judge issued final approval of the settlement agreement in the House vs. NCAA class action lawsuits, making way for student-athlete revenue sharing, among other historic changes.
ย
Beginning July 1, universities will be permitted to compensate student-athletes through revenue sharing. As a member of the Big Ten Conference, in order to recognize the contributions of our student-athletes and continue to compete at an elite level, UCLA has committed to sharing the highest allowable amount, which will be $20.5 million the first year and will increase annually.
ย
The settlement also reshapes the current roster size and scholarship limits model. Roster limits will be imposed in each sport, setting a maximum number of student-athletes who can compete with that team in a given year. The final agreement includes provisions for a phased implementation and a grandfathering process to help protect current student-athletes. At UCLA, we are committed to working closely with our coaches to manage these changes thoughtfully and to support all current and prospective student-athletes through the transition.
ย
Meanwhile, scholarship limits among NCAA sports will be removed. Universities can provide as many scholarships as there are roster spots. But as the cost of each awarded scholarship at UCLA averages $65,000 per year, decisions must be made within the scope of available funding.
ย
After regular meetings with our head coaches and campus leadership, and following a thorough analysis of several proposed revenue sharing models, we have finalized a funding distribution structure for our athletic programs. Our goal is to uphold UCLA's tradition of broad-based excellence. In this new era, that will require competitively funding the programs that drive the majority of the revenue that supports our departmental operations. We also remain committed to sustaining the competitiveness of all athletic programs. Every Bruin student-athlete will continue to receive the resources to excel athletically and academically, ultimately graduating from the nation's #1 public institution.
ย
Another change: the College Sports Commission has been established to ensure compliance with the new rules around roster limits, revenue sharing and student-athlete third-party name, image and likeness (NIL) deals. All student-athlete third-party NIL agreements will be submitted to NIL Go, a clearinghouse created by the College Sports Commission with assistance from Deloitte. NIL Go will analyze deals to ensure the terms align with NCAA guidelines, including confirmation of a valid business purpose and fair market value.
ย
As I told you back in November, our administration has been hard at work planning our strategy for success. Here's how we are preparing for the changes that will be implemented for the 2025-26 academic year:
ย
โข Staffing & Technology โWe have added data analyst and recruiting evaluation positions designed to support and enhance the effectiveness of the new revenue sharing structure, and have invested in roster-building software to assist programs with strategically planning and preparing for the new funding model.
โข College Sports Commission Compliance โ The introduction of a new enforcement entity requires us to provide education directly to our student-athletes and third-party NIL partners to ensure understanding of the process and compliance by all parties.
โข Revenue Distribution โ We will partner with the Big Ten Conference to select a partner that will distribute revenue share stipends directly to student-athletes.
ย
In addition, $2.8 billion in NIL backpay to former student-athletes will be covered through a nationwide reduction in NCAA revenue sharing. UCLA will receive over $1 million less per year for the next 10 years.
ย
Our administration is committed to remaining both competitive and fiscally sustainable, while also continuing to support and develop our student-athletes, who are our North Star.
ย
Even with this ruling, questions remain. Two things are certain: this is an evolving situation, and UCLA will continue to be part of important conversations about the future of college athletics. In April, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with two UCLA Athletics colleagues to participate in College Sports Day on the Hill, which brought together lawmakers and hundreds of college athletics stakeholders advocating for legislation that establishes a national standard for NIL. More changes are ahead, and embracing change is the only way forward. Those who don't adapt will be left behind, and UCLA has never been left behind.
ย
This is a historic moment. We need you. Donating to the Wooden Athletic Fund is the most impactful way you can provide a championship-level experience for our student-athletes. In addition, for those interested in supporting student-athletes through NIL opportunities, UCLA's official NIL partners - Bruins for Life (football), Men of Westwood (men's basketball) and Champion of Westwood (women's basketball and Olympic sports) - offer another way to contribute.
ย
Together, we will ensure UCLA Athletics continues to attract and develop Champions.
ย
Go Bruins!
ย
Martin
ย
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