The Future of College Sports: Who Gets Left Behind?

College athletes gathered at a recent event were caught off guard by the news of a $2. 8 billion settlement approved by a federal judge. The settlement allows colleges to share up to $20. 5 million with their athletes. The majority of this money is expected to go to football players. This has sparked concerns among athletes in non-revenue sports. The settlement is a big deal, but not all athletes are celebrating. Sydney Moore and Sabrina Ootsburg, two college athletes, were at the event when the news broke. They quickly realized that while some athletes would benefit, others might face cuts. The settlement allows schools to share revenue with athletes, but it's not clear how this will affect non-revenue sports like track and field. Ootsburg, a senior at Belmont, competes in track and field. She has been thinking about how the settlement will affect her and other athletes. She wonders if the focus on high-revenue sports will leave non-revenue sports behind. She also worries about the resources and support that athletes in non-revenue sports might lose. Moore shares similar concerns. She worries that the changes could impact the student-athlete experience. Many female athletes are more concerned about maintaining their resources and experience than receiving a small amount of money. They fear that the settlement could lead to cuts in support and resources for non-revenue sports. The settlement has also raised questions about walk-ons, athletes who join teams without scholarships. Jake Rimmel, a former Virginia Tech cross-country athlete, was cut from the team in anticipation of the settlement. He has been waiting to see if he can return to the team. The settlement has left him with more questions than answers. Coaches are also trying to understand the changes. Mike White, coach of the Texas softball team, called it "the great unknown. "He and other coaches are trying to figure out how the settlement will affect their teams and athletes. The settlement has raised many questions, and it's not clear how schools will respond. The settlement is a big change for college sports, but it's not clear how it will affect all athletes. While some athletes will benefit, others might face cuts and loss of support. It's important for athletes and coaches to understand the changes and advocate for their needs. The future of college sports is uncertain, but it's clear that athletes will need to be involved in shaping it.