The House v. NCAA Settlement, approved by Judge Claudia Wilken at the end of last week, changed the landscape of college athletics. It allows college programs to pay athletes directly through a revenue-sharing process.
The revenue-sharing pool is capped at $20.5 million for the 2025-2026 season and is projected to increase throughout the ten-year contract.
The NCAA will also make back payments of $2.8 billion over the next ten years to athletes who played college athletics between 2016 and the present.
The Settlement also allows schools to set limits and rules regarding the influence of boosters and Name, Image, and Likeness collectives.
On Monday, the University of Iowa Athletics Department prepared the "Flight Funds" collective to prepare for the new revenue-sharing process.
The Iowa Athletics Department created "Flight Funds" as a "charitable avenue" that allows donors to pay athletes directly. The Fund aims to support Football, Men's and Women's Basketball, and Men's Wrestling, alongside a general fund for student-athletes.
The Athletics Department noted the contributions are tax-deductible and count towards athletic ticket priority points.
After "Flight Funds" was created, head coaches for the four major University of Iowa Athletics programs commented.
A new chapter in college football has begun!
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) June 9, 2025
A message from Coach Ferentz ⬇️#Hawkeyes
Iowa Football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz might have said this through gritted teeth, but noted the collective will contribute directly to the program, allowing it to retain the highest-quality talent and compete at the highest level.
A new era for college athletics has arrived!
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) June 9, 2025
We’re Ready. 👏#Hawkeyes
In traditional Ben McCollum fashion, the new Iowa Men's Basketball head coach implored Iowa supporters to join the new collective, stating that it is an essential part of the program's future.
Striving to be the best! 👊#Hawkeyes
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) June 9, 2025
Long-time Iowa Women's Basketball assistant coach and current Head Coach Jan Jensen also commented on the collective. Jensen stated that revenue-sharing is now a part of college athletics, and the Hawkeyes strive to be the best.
With the support of "Flight Funds," the program can continue attracting the best players in the country to become Hawkeyes.
New Era. Same Standard.
— Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling (@Hawks_Wrestling) June 9, 2025
🔗: https://t.co/2j3WtZP3vm#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/1i6U5NIib3
Iowa Men's Wrestling Tom Brands thanked Iowa supporters in his statement, saying Iowa Wrestling fans have always been behind the program. The new revenue-sharing process allows supporters to pay athletes directly and helps the Hawkeyes finish at the top of the podium.
The House v. NCAA Settlement changed college athletics forever, and the "Flight Funds" program is the Iowa Athletics Department's attempt to strengthen its financial position.