NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS (NIL)

NCAA college athletes have the opportunity to benefit from their Name, Image, and Likeness. The PhenomeNIL Patriots platform provides Mason student-athletes with the information to help build their brands and social media presence to optimize earning potential.

Embracing a New Era: House v. NCAA Settlement

A transformative moment in college athletics is on the horizon. The proposed House v. NCAA settlement, if approved on April 7, 2025, will introduce groundbreaking changes: $2.8 billion in back damages for Division I student-athletes from 2016-2024. A new model allowing institutions to distribute Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) benefits directly to student-athletes.

George Mason University NCAA House Settlement FAQ

1. What is the NCAA House Settlement? The House Settlement refers to a group of federal antitrust class action lawsuits against the NCAA and Autonomy Five (A5) conferences collectively known as the House case. These lawsuits argued that NCAA rules restricting student-athletes from profiting from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) unfairly limited their earning potential, including lost revenue from NIL, broadcast rights, and video games.

A proposed settlement received preliminary court approval on October 7th, 2024, with final approval expected on April 7th, 2025, and implementation beginning July 1st, 2025. It introduced the following groundbreaking changes: $2.8 billion in back damages for Division I student-athletes from 2016-2024; A new model that allows universities to distribute direct NIL benefits to student-athletes up to $20.5 million annually; A shift from scholarship limits to roster limits, redefining roster management.

The settlement applies mandatorily to the 69 (soon to be 74) institutions named as defendants—representing major conferences like the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC, and Pac-12—for the next 10 years. The remaining 280 institutions can choose to opt into the framework annually by notifying the NCAA by March 1, or continue operating under current guidelines.

2. Is George Mason University opting in, and what does that mean for its student-athletes? Yes, George Mason University intends to opt into the House v. NCAA settlement framework. This allows George Mason Athletics to distribute NIL benefits directly to student-athletes without relying on third-party entities, such as collectives.

3. How will George Mason pay for the additional benefits associated with opting in? George Mason will execute comprehensive strategies to increase generated revenues (i.e., ticket sales, sponsorships, etc.), implement new initiatives within the Mason Now: Power the Possible $1 billion fundraising campaign, and strategically reduce operational costs to pay for additional benefits for our flagship sports, men’s and women’s basketball. A5 schools must pay additional benefits for football. George Mason is strategically positioned to be competitive nationally without reaching the House benefits cap.

4. How does this impact George Mason’s ability to compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference? Opting in aligns with our strategic goal of competing at the highest level—contending for A-10 championships and consistently earning NCAA postseason berths, especially in men’s and women’s basketball. Also, we believe opting in does the following: Aligns with university goals to maintain a robust and comprehensive athletics program; Enhances national relevance, boosting campus visibility and uniting the greater campus and local community; Strengthens our ability to attract and retain top-tier student-athletes and coaches; Establishes a clear pathway for delivering NIL benefits within a compliant university framework; Expands fundraising opportunities to directly support our student-athletes' success.

5. Will all A-10 schools opt into the House v. NCAA settlement framework? Each institution will make its own decision regarding opting in to the settlement framework

6. Will George Mason Athletics directly pay all student-athletes? No. Opting in does not require the university to provide direct payments to all student-athletes. Instead, it allows the university to strategically distribute NIL benefits based on the value of each student-athletes NIL and publicity rights.

7. How does this impact George Mason’s current NIL program? George Mason student-athletes may continue earning compensation through traditional third-party NIL deals. The Patriot Nation Collective will also continue securing brand deals, endorsements, and other NIL opportunities to maximize student-athletes' earning potential. George Mason student-athletes may continue earning compensation through traditional third-party NIL deals. Additionally, the Patriot Nation Collective will continue securing brand deals, endorsements, and other NIL opportunities to maximize student-athletes' earning potential.

8. Could this decision lead to conference realignment for George Mason? No. George Mason University remains committed to the basketball-centric Atlantic 10 Conference, which provides the best platform for our basketball programs to remain nationally relevant and compete at the highest level.

9. How can fans and supporters help? Now more than ever, fan support is crucial for George Mason Athletics to compete in the new era. Mason Nation can help by attending games and engaging with Mason Athletics and donating to our Power Basketball Greatness initiative to provide our basketball programs with the resources needed to compete at the highest level.

Mason Athletics Partners with INFLCR

George Mason Athletics has a department-wide partnership with INFLCR Verified and Team Altemus! Mason Athletics leverages INFLCR's content delivery platform and mobile app to help grow Mason student-athlete brands and help them create their brand in this Name, Image, and Likeness era of intercollegiate athletics.