“It is changing fundamentally how college athletics are structured, and even to a degree, what the principle of amateurism really means moving forward,” Banker said.
Munson — who graduated with a triple major in political science, legal studies and history — agreed the notion of student-athletes is changing fast with major ramifications.
“We all love the idea of the student-athlete going competing on the weekends and then being a good student in class,” she said. “But it’s become … almost semipro, especially for sports that are getting lots of NIL money.”
As part of the revenue-sharing settlement, Munson worries new roster limits could hinder students’ opportunities to play sports, especially on teams like track. She also fears women athletes wouldn’t benefit financially nearly asmuch as men from the settlement.
Doug McLeod serves as chair of UW-Madison’s Athletic Board, which oversees the school’s athletics department but isn’t involved in day-to-day decisions. McLeod said he hopes the settlement would provide order in an increasingly chaotic world for college sports administrators, coaches, athletes and fans.
