The landscape of college sports has been altered forever. For the first time in the history of collegiate athletics, student-athletes will soon become eligible to be directly paid by their schools.

The House v. NCAA settlement was officially ratified on Friday, clearing the way for universities to directly pay athletes starting in 2025. The settlement is expected to formally take effect on July 1, 2025, after it was approved by Judge Claudia Wilken of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

After the NCAA and the House voted to settle the suit in 2024, it was believed that there was no end in sight for the suit. However, the approval will provide $2.8 billion for players over the last 10 years who have missed opportunities to reap the benefits of their name, image, and likeness.