Hearing On Landmark 2.8 Billion Ncaa Settlement Could Lock In Seismic Changes For College Sports

Hours before college basketball crowns its next champion , the future of college sports will be hanging in the balance in a California courtroom.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken's scheduled hearing Monday in a courtroom in Oakland is expected to be the last one before the changes will truly begin under an industry-changing, 2.8 billion settlement of a five-year-old lawsuit against the NCAA and the nation's largest conferences. Among other things, it will clear the way for schools to pay up to 20.5 million each with their athletes.

Wilken has already granted preliminary approval for the settlement. It was unknown whether she will give final approval at Monday's hearing, which is expected to include testimony from some of those objecting to details of the sprawling plan. LSU gymnast and influencer Olivia Dunne is among the 18 people scheduled to testify, though she is expected to appear via Zoom.

The new structure outlined by the settlement, which represents a shift in billions of dollars from the schools into the pockets of athletes, is supposed to go into effect on July 1.

Universities across the country have been busy making plans, under the assumption Wilken will put the terms into effect.