ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – With the settlement last year of the landmark House vs. NCAA Settlement by U.S. Judge Claudia Wilken, universities are debating whether to “opt-in” or “opt-out” of the settlement.
Three separate multi-billion-dollar federal antitrust lawsuits all claimed that the NCAA was illegally limiting the earning power of student-athletes. The settlement impacts all NCAA Division I schools, including Winthrop.
The then-power 5 conferences named in the case are required to “opt-in” the settlement which provides revenue share opportunities to student-athletes. All other Division I schools have the option to “opt-in” or “opt-out.”
With the support of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees, President Edward Serna `02, and Athletics senior leadership, Winthrop has made the decision to “opt-in” to the settlement.
“This is an exciting, unprecedented and transformational time for intercollegiate athletics, and Winthrop Athletics remains fully committed to competing at the highest level of Division I,” said Chuck Rey, Winthrop athletics director.
By choosing to “opt-in,” Winthrop intends to remain an athletics program that prioritizes the best interests of its students and student-athletes, the long-term sustainability of our athletic programs and a fiscally responsible approach to the settlement and it impact, said Rey.
“Winthrop Athletics is committed to securing new resources to support outside funding so as not to draw from the current university budget nor compromise the financial health of the institution by the decision to “opt-in,” Rey said. “This commitment is vital for the continued growth of the university while maintaining competitive excellence in our athletic programs and ultimately strengthening the university’s brand.”
A set of questions and answers has been developed to help explain Winthrop’s “opt-in” decision more fully.
For more information, contact Brett Redden, assistant athletic director for communications, at reddenb@winthrop.edu.
