The Highway to NIL Podcast analyzes the legal landscape concerning college athletics and the regulation of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights of student athletes. The podcast provides key insights into the current state of affairs, focusing on the NIL guidance and policies coming directly from the NCAA; the various passed and amended state NIL laws; and NIL enforcement, including how the NCAA, state attorneys general, and other regulators may investigate and punish schools for NIL violations.

In this installment, Troutman Pepper attorneys Cal Stein, Tim Bado, and Pat Zancolli discuss recent updates in the House settlement process. After Judge Wilken previously declined to approve the settlement, she sent the parties “back to the drawing board” to renegotiate and revise the settlement. This installment discusses the numerous revisions the parties made to the original settlement language, including changes to the settlement distribution plan and involving the NCAA’s enforcement authority.

Specific topics include:

  • Current procedural and settlement posture of the House case (2:03);
  • Settlement revisions concerning NCAA enforcement authority: “booster” vs. “associated entity/individual” (4:47);
  • Revisions to the settlement distribution plan governing money going to student-athletes (6:44);
  • What happens next and what should schools be doing now? (12:31);
  • Will the settlement be finalized soon? (15:29).
Photo of Callan G. Stein Callan G. Stein

Cal’s broad litigation and investigation practice encompasses white collar criminal matters, corporate and commercial civil litigation, internal investigations, and health care litigation. Cal frequently represents and advises higher education clients, particularly in areas related to collegiate athletics and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

Cal’s broad litigation and investigation practice encompasses white collar criminal matters, corporate and commercial civil litigation, internal investigations, and health care litigation. Cal frequently represents and advises higher education clients, particularly in areas related to collegiate athletics and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and compliance. Cal provides NIL compliance advice and internal investigation services to major universities, including those that participate in Division I football and basketball, and likewise advises schools on athletics contracts, conference affiliations, conference realignment, and other NCAA-related issues. Cal also represents and advises businesses on NIL contracts, as well as NIL collectives on formation and compliance matters. Cal hosts the firm’s “Highway to NIL” podcast that discusses the legal landscape and developments in the area of NIL law.

Photo of Patrick Zancolli Patrick Zancolli

Patrick is committed to ensuring client success throughout all stages of litigation and arbitration. His strong research and writing skills and solutions-focused approach to legal practice allow him to offer top notch services to construction clients.