Alabama AD Greg Byrne gets 100% real on NCAA settlement

Greg Byrne has been the athletic director of the University of Alabama since 2017. He got the role after occupying similar positions at Mississippi State and Arizona. Bryne has overseen two NCAA football championships in his role as Alabama AD.

On Saturday, Byrne gave his opinion on the landmark House v. NCAA settlement. Speaking to ESPN, Byrne said,

"I tell our coaches and our students, 'The three most significant events in the history of college athletics are, first, the NCAA's foundation (1905), second, the adoption of Title IX (1972) and all the opportunities that were created because of it, and, third, the House settlement."

Greg Byrne, with over 30 years in college sports, is poised to shape a new era for the NCAA. The Alabama Crimson Tide, a collegiate powerhouse, will serve as a key reference point in navigating these changes.

According to ESPN, Judge Claudia Wilken approved a settlement on Friday between the NCAA and athlete plaintiffs, establishing a revenue-sharing model that allows athletic departments to distribute approximately $20.5 million directly to players. The agreement spans a decade, with annual payouts expected to rise.

Following the settlement's approval, Byrne welcomed a structured system to replace the "fluidness" of the past few years and is delighted that athletes will get paid.

Alabama set to fully fund revenue sharing

On Friday, Greg Byrne released an official statement on his social media accounts stating that Alabama will fully fund their revenue sharing amounting to $20.5 million this year. Bryne made the statement shortly after the approval of the historic House v. NCAA settlement.

Here's the crux of Byrne's four-paragraph statement,

"One of the biggest transformational changes in college athletics is upon us, and Alabama Athletics has been planning for this day and making decisions that best position our department for long-term success."

He continued,

"Approval of the House settlement offers stability going forward, which is something that is much needed."

He concluded,

"We have a long history of being one of the most successful athletics departments, and we will carry on that tradition as we enter this new world."

The Alabama Crimson Tide isn't just a football powerhouse; they're successful across an array of sports. They have an impressive basketball team, nationally recognized track and field stars and a rising golf program. Bryne's proactive approach is set to impress both current athletes and incoming recruits for the 2025-26 season.

The Crimson Tide football team will open its 2025 regular season against the Florida State Seminoles. Kalen DeBoer aims to kick off his second year with a strong performance and build on last season's progress.