🏟️ Judge Approves NCAA Settlement

$2.8B settlement to pay past athletes and allow future revenue sharing

May 09, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Welcome to this week’s edition of Sports Industry Weekly as we share insights from the top business headlines from across the sports industry.

💸 A judge has preliminarily approved the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement, paving the way for direct athlete revenue sharing.

🏀 Sue Bird has been appointed the first-ever managing director of the U.S. women’s national basketball team, leading roster and staff decisions.

🏈 Former coach Nick Saban will co-chair a new college athletics commission led by Donald Trump, focusing on NIL and sports governance.

🎤 Venus Williams will make her broadcasting debut at the French Open on TNT Sports, joining tennis legends for whip-around coverage.

🤖 NBC Sports will use AI to recreate the iconic voice of Jim Fagan in its upcoming NBA broadcasts beginning in 2025.

⛳️ LPGA icon Michelle Wie West is joining TOGETHXR as an investor, supporting the women’s sports media brand as it looks to expand its golf coverage.

⚾️ DICK’S Sporting Goods is leading a $120M investment in Unrivaled Sports to expand youth platforms like Ripken Baseball and Cooperstown.

🌭 The Phoenix Mercury announced a $2 value menu for all home games in 2025 to enhance fan accessibility and affordability.

🏟️ The home of the Flyers and 76ers will be renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena this September, following a $400M renovation by Comcast Spectacor.

🎬 Netflix’s Power Moves, debuting June 4, follows Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson as they relaunch Reebok Basketball through NIL deals, brand strategy, and signing stars like Angel Reese.

🤝🏼 As the WNBA season tips off, players are also preparing for critical CBA negotiations focused on pay equity, charter flights, rookie contracts, and free agency rights.

🏈 The Washington Commanders plan to return to D.C. with a new domed stadium at the RFK site, with an announcement expected alongside Roger Goodell and Josh Harris.

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