South Carolina Athletes Protected Under Revised NCAA Roster Limit Proposal
South Carolina athletes are expected to retain their roster spots under a revised NCAA settlement proposal, even as the broader antitrust case remains unresolved.
On May 7, a new version of the proposed $2.8 billion NCAA athlete compensation settlement was filed, addressing one of the final unresolved issues—roster limits. The revised plan includes a provision that protects any Division I athlete, including those at South Carolina, from losing their current or promised roster spot for the 2025–26 academic year due to potential roster caps.
This adjustment applies to current players, incoming transfers, and freshmen, ensuring they keep their eligibility and positions regardless of changes stemming from the settlement. The filing states that affected athletes will be exempt from roster limits for the remainder of their college careers.
This change comes after U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken rejected the earlier proposal on April 23, saying it was unfair. She suggested a “grandfathering” approach to protect athletes already on rosters, which led to negotiations among NCAA representatives, power conference schools, and attorneys. While agreement was reached on the grandfather clause, some parties proposed making it optional, leading to legal objections.
Judge Wilken has allowed those opposing the changes to submit responses by May 13, with the NCAA and plaintiffs given until May 16 to reply. Depending on her review, the judge could allow further revisions, approve the proposal, or reject it altogether—potentially leading to a trial. If that happens and the NCAA loses, it could face damages as high as $20 billion.
