After landmark $2.8 billion judgement, SEC's Greg Sankey & Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua meet POTUS Donald Trump over NIL regulations

Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey have received an invitation from President Donald Trump at his golf course in New Jersey on Sunday.

The meeting is more than just about playing. It's about discussing the future of college sports following the historic House vs NCAA settlement of $2.8 billion, opening the door for potential revenue-sharing models between universities and athletes.

According to the landmark settlement, approved by Judge Claudia Wilken, it ends the NCAA’s ban on direct payments, allows up to $20.5 million annually per school, and establishes a College Sports Commission to oversee compensation rules and Title IX concerns, per AP News.

According to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, Bevacqua, Sankey and Trump are expected to spend time golfing and engage in broader policy discussions surrounding college athletics.

Bevacqua enjoys a working relationship with Trump, who was once an executive at the PGA of America. Meanwhile, Sankey chairs one of the most powerful conferences in all of college football.

Both might be seeking clarity on how the evolution is taken by the president and how they should prepare themselves for further adjustments should Congress intervenes.

Why does the discussion matter in the wake of House vs NCAA settlement?

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump showed interest in college athletics and NIL policy. He's reportedly open to introducing federal NIL uniformity, limiting third-party collectives and establishing labor classifications for student-athletes.

The previous model is now seen as an unfit way to handle the billion-dollar business that college sports has become. It's a chaotic moment now in college sports. Commissioners and administrators are now urgently seeking legislative guardrails to prevent chaos.

Previously, Trump has collaborated with figures like Nick Saban and Sen. Ted Cruz to push for his role in college sports reform. His aim is as follows:

• Standardizing NIL rules
• Monitoring athlete compensation excesses
• Clarifying employment status
• Examining Title IX impacts

As such, the college sports is in for a ride, and it's like almost everyday that a new development is hitting the market, as a major shift is taking place.

Edited by Bhargav