College basketball reached a boiling point this week—not just on the hardwood, but in courtrooms and across social media, where fans, players, and critics rallied against what many see as a half-measure disguised as progress. The NCAA’s long-awaited decision to allow student-athletes to receive a share of athletic department revenue—hailed as a “landmark settlement” by officials—is now facing backlash from the very people it’s supposed to help.

And all this played out as two No. 1 seeds—Florida and Houston—prepared to clash in San Antonio for the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball national title. The timing couldn’t have been more ironic.

A statement issued by Charlie Baker read, “Today’s hearing on the landmark settlement was a significant step in modernizing college sports. If approved, the settlement will allow student-athletes the opportunity to receive nearly 50% of athletic department revenue in a sustainable and fair system for years to come.”

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken held the final hearing on the $2.8 billion settlement. The session ran over six hours. Lawyers debated what the new model would actually mean for athletes. On paper, it sounds like a win—players finally getting paid. But dig deeper, and the picture gets murky. Some say it’s anything but fair.

One of the biggest points of contention? Roster limits.

If the settlement goes through, the NCAA will cap team rosters. Football gets 105 spots. Basketball gets 15 for both men and women. Baseball gets 34. Soccer gets 28. Softball gets 25. Volleyball gets 18. That means fewer chances for new players. And more pressure on the ones already on the team.

Judge Wilken acknowledged the issues but seemed cautiously optimistic. “Basically I think it is a good settlement, don’t quote me,” she said, “and I think it’s worth pursuing. I think some of these things could be fixed if people tried to fix them and that it would be worth their while to try to fix them.”

One fix she repeatedly brought up was a “grandfather clause”—a way to protect current student-athletes from losing their spots on teams due to the new rules. It’s not set in stone yet, but Wilken made it clear she wants both sides to explore that idea. “Some of them are big-ticket items, some of them aren’t,” she said. She gave attorneys one week to revisit unresolved concerns and return with possible solutions. After that, a revised version of the settlement will likely be drafted.

In the meantime, athletes are speaking out.

Utah swimmer Gannon Flynn took the spotlight during the hearing, warning how the new limits could be devastating. “If you don’t have a perfect season,” he said, “you might not get another.” It’s a haunting reminder that the stakes here aren’t just financial—they’re personal. Careers are on the line.

On the NCAA’s side, attorney Rakesh Kilaru argued that the proposed caps are there to keep things manageable—and that roster changes happen even without the settlement. But he admitted Wilken’s suggestion had merit and agreed to look into potential adjustments.

There’s also the question of future athletes. Who’s representing their interests? Wilken wasn’t satisfied with the current answer and demanded clearer feedback next week.

The NCAA calls it a historic step, but athletes and fans see a system still guarding its bottom line. As Florida and Houston battled in San Antonio, the spotlight shifted. The Alamodome wasn’t just hosting a title game—it was framing a sport still searching for fairness. And right now, fans and players aren’t buying it. They’re rejecting it outright.

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Here’s a breakdown of what fans are saying—and why their reactions are rooted in the fine print of this game-changing deal:

“‘Nearly 50%’ is such a load of s*#t! How this dude @CharlieBakerMA and the @NCAA say this with a straight face is beyond me!” — That opening blast captures the core frustration pulsing through social media. While the NCAA touts the settlement as a near-even revenue split for athletes, fans see it as smoke and mirrors. Why? Because despite talk of players receiving up to 22% of media, ticket, and sponsorship income, many doubt whether that number will ever truly materialize—especially at powerhouse schools with accounting tricks and massive overhead.

Another fan questioned the fairness of the judgement saying, “Sustainable and fair”? Umm…no, no it isn’t.” This fan—and many others—aren’t buying the NCAA’s spin. Why? Because the fine print reveals deep flaws: harsh roster caps that will cut opportunities for walk-ons and Olympic sport athletes, outdated NIL valuation models that athletes like Olivia Dunne and Sedona Prince have openly criticized, and a plan that seems to help the few while sidelining the many.

“The @NCAA needs to stop referring to players as ‘student-athletes’. They are now professional athletes.” Another fan highlighted that they are now professional athletes. That take may sound bold, but it’s rooted in reality. With players about to earn direct pay and manage their own market value, the amateur label feels more like a relic—or worse, a legal shield—than an honest descriptor.

And then there’s the confusion: “If the attorneys/clients allow grandfathering in the roster limits, will the NCAA require univ that have preemptively made roster cuts to meet new limits reinstate cut athletes due to settlement?” That fan is laser-focused on timing—some schools already slashed rosters before any rule was finalized. Will those athletes be brought back? So far, no clear answer. Even Judge Wilken, who preliminarily approved the deal, admitted roster cuts are “difficult to bear.”

And then came the final: “50%? Huh? Not at the big schools.” That skeptical jab echoes a common fear—while the NCAA promises athletes could get nearly half of some revenue, powerhouse programs may just find creative ways around it. Bottom line? While the settlement is historic, the reaction proves it’s also messy, rushed, and, in the eyes of many, nowhere near done.