Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark lays down groundwork for potential rule breakers following House vs NCAA settlement

Brett Yormark is opening up about the new NCAA settlement. The Big 12 commissioner talked with Chris Vannini, senior writer for The Athletic, about the recent House of Representatives vs. NCAA settlement, which allows schools to directly pay athletes.

Vannini asked Yormark about the participation agreement that schools would sign to agree not to sue over the new settlement. Yormark expressed that this change is a work in progress but he is preparing to get the agreement executed.

"I look to get that executed in short order," Yormark said. "It's going to be very necessary for all the conferences."

Yormark went on to further reflect on the recent ruling.

"Our schools want rules," Yormark said. "And we're providing rules. And we will be governed by those rules. If you break those rules, the ramifications will be punitive."

Some details regarding how conferences will handle the new House ruling for the NCAA remain unclear, but Yormark has been open with his support.

Details regarding the new NCAA ruling

On Friday, a multibillion dollar legal settlement changed the way athletes will be compensated in college sports. Judge Claudia Wilken approved a deal which allows schools to directly pay athletes.

Wilken's ruling brings an end to three separate federal antitrust lawsuits that claimed that the NCAA was limiting the financial earning power of college athletes, even with the addition of NIL.

NCAA Basketball: Big 12 Basketball Media Day - Source: Imagn

Over the next decade, the NCAA will pay close to $2.8 billion in back damages to student athletes who competed from 2016 to now. Schools will begin paying athletes on July 1. The annual cap is projected to be around $20.5 million per school for the coming school year and increase annually over the next 10 years.

This decision contributes significantly to the changing landscape of college sports. A 2021 ruling allowed student athletes to make money from their name, image and likeness.

Collective groups used NIL money to provide student athletes with "salaries" to persuade them to stay at a school or transfer there. Friday's ruling allows this money to now come directly from colleges and universities.

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star - Source: Imagn

NCAA President Charlie Baker hopes that this ruling will help schools regain control regarding payments to student-athletes and will aid with the market of third party payments.

Schools and conferences will have to work quickly to determine how they will make use of this ruling, but Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has expressed his support.