In a landmark House settlement, schools will be allowed to pay athletes directly for the first time. After over 20 years of litigation, lawsuits and legal red tape, athletes will get compensation directly from the people they play for.

Judge Claudia Wilken approval includes nearly $2.8 billion in back damages for former and current athletes and a $20.5 million cap for each D-I school.

The groundbreaking case leading to the transformation of the college sports model in the United States is over. The settlement approved by U.S.