Temple, Villanova, and Penn State are among local schools beginning to pay athletes. Here’s how it’s going so far.

Following a settlement in federal class-action lawsuits, several Pennsylvania colleges – including Temple, Villanova, Penn State, St. Joseph’s, Drexel, and La Salle – have begun directly paying their student-athletes, marking a significant shift in the landscape of college athletics. This move addresses long-standing concerns about fair compensation for athletes and effectively ends their status as amateurs. While most schools are hesitant to disclose specific payment amounts, Villanova and St. Joe’s are prioritizing revenue sharing for their basketball teams, while Temple is utilizing Competitive Excellence Funds to allow all 19 teams to raise money for athlete compensation.

Penn State intends to reach the $20.5 million cap for athlete payments this academic year. Athletes themselves view revenue sharing as a fair form of compensation for the time and effort they dedicate to their sports, with former Villanova basketball player Eric Dixon noting, “It is a job at the end of the day.” The changes stem from the ‘House vs. NCAA’ antitrust lawsuit, which requires the NCAA and its conferences to pay $2.8 billion in damages to current and former Division 1 athletes.

Concerns remain regarding funding sources and equitable distribution, with calls to avoid using tuition dollars or state appropriations. Schools are exploring various revenue streams, including donations, ticket sales, and sponsorships. Experts predict potential Title IX lawsuits if revenue sharing disproportionately benefits male athletes, particularly in football and basketball, over female athletes.

(Source：The Philadelphia Inquirer)