Olivia Dunne, the gymnast who led the LSU team to glory at the NCAA finals, is set to receive big! The NCAA’s recent settlement includes a clause permitting 22% of LSU’s average revenue to be directly paid to athletes, giving them more reason to celebrate. Though it is unlikely to receive a direct financial benefit from the NCAA’s $2.3 billion settlement, but Olivia will definitely be entitled to a significant chunk! 

The NCAA and its 5 power conferences’ settlement is greatly overdue and results in nearly $2.75 billion in remunerations. Deeming to be a roadmap for collegiate sports in the future, Judge Claudia Wilken of the US District Court for the Northern District of California presided over the settlement. Though there was some deliberation, it seems the final ink has been put down. 

A recent X post from NCAA News included the “NCAA & Autonomy Conferences Statement on House Settlement.” The picture states that the NCAA and the five autonomy conferences; Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, and SEC have agreed to settlement terms in the House vs NCAA lawsuit. The settlement will enable them to focus on enhancing the student-athlete experience and modernizing the governance of college sports. Not only that, it also aims to provide transparency and “resolve three antitrust lawsuits.” Historically, the NCAA has maintained a strict “amateurism” model that prohibits direct payments to athletes.

This framework has undergone a significant overhaul. The settlement requires the NCAA and conferences to pay over $2.7 billion to former Division 1 athletes for lost NIL earnings since 2016. Plus, a new revenue-sharing model has been established that allows 22% of power-conference schools’ average revenue to be distributed directly amongst athletes, about $20 million. While it will greatly benefit all collegiate athletes, Olivia Dunne, too, is on the list! 

Livvy Dunne’s 13+ million combined TikTok and Instagram following has greatly enhanced her ability to secure NIL deals. She was among the athletes who benefited greatly from the changed NIL rules, allowing NCAA athletes to secure brand endorsements. Dunne is among the most popular collegiate gymnasts and has signed exclusive offers from brands like Vuori, Forever 21, PlantFuel and American Eagle. She already makes mid-six figures annually. Now, NCAA reforms will give her NIL deals a further boost. She’ll earn through more endorsements, sponsorships, and direct compensation from the NCAA via LSU, her school.

The landscape of Collegiate sports is set to change

The NCAA’s settlement is being hailed as “revolutionary” and a blueprint for the future of college sports. Given its clause to allow schools to pay their athletes directly from their own revenues, even big athletes like Olivia Dunne are looking at a comfortable few years. This money will go directly into supporting athletes’ career expenses. This includes equipment, health supplements, fare for traveling to compete and many other expenses. In the past many athletes have had to take up a second job to support themselves. 

Even Dunne had to turn to social media to boost her chances of cutting better brand deals. The NCAA has relied on amateurism in defense against legal trouble, arguing that college athletes cannot be considered professionals. However, the court ruled this statement out for the better.This takes a huge weight off the athletes’ shoulders and allows them to focus on training.