House v. NCAA Explained: Why Players Are Entering the Transfer Portal Early

The House v. NCAA case is a $2.8 billion settlement that could change how college sports work—how athletes get paid, how many players schools can keep, and who’s eligible to play. It hasn’t been finalized yet, but the potential fallout is already affecting the transfer portal.

What’s the House v. NCAA Case About?

• Filed by Grant House in 2020 – A former Arizona State swimmer sued the NCAA over restrictions that blocked athletes from earning money on their name, image, and likeness (NIL) before rules changed in 2021.
• It’s now a class-action suit – Thousands of former college athletes are covered, mostly from 2016 to 2021.
• The NCAA and Power Five conferences are settling – They’ve agreed to pay around $2.8 billion to affected athletes.

What’s in the Proposed Settlement?

• Backpay: Athletes who played before NIL rules changed would receive a cut of $2.8 billion over 10 years.
• New pay system: Starting in 2025, schools could directly pay athletes up to around $20 million per year, spread across all sports.
• Roster caps: Instead of strict scholarship limits, teams would have a flat number of roster spots—making it easier to carry extra players without NCAA penalties.

Why Are Athletes Entering the Transfer Portal Now?

Due to the pending NCAA rules, I have been advised to enter my name into the transfer portal. I am still focused on pursuing professional options.

— Zeke Mayo (@zekexmayo) April 22, 2025

• Uncertainty about eligibility – Some athletes, like Zeke Mayo, are out of eligibility under current rules. But if the court grants an extra year (to make up for past restrictions), they want to be ready to transfer immediately.
• Roster management – Coaches expect new flexibility in how many players they can keep. Some are telling current athletes, like Ven-Allen Lubin to enter the portal now in case their spot disappears or funding shifts.
• Better deals may be coming – The new system could give schools more freedom to offer NIL money or guaranteed spots. Athletes want to be positioned to cash in.

What’s the Current Status of the House v. NCAA Lawsuit?

• Final hearing was held April 7, 2025 – A judge in California is reviewing whether to approve the deal.
• Ruling pending – There’s no timeline, but a decision is expected before summer. If approved, changes would take effect July 1.
• The NCAA has paused eligibility rulings – Until the judge rules, the NCAA isn’t making decisions about extra years or the new roster/pay rules.

What Happens Next?

• If approved: Backpay begins. Schools restructure budgets. Roster and scholarship rules change. Athletes get paid directly by their programs.
• If denied: NCAA returns to current structure—no direct payments, standard scholarships, and the portal slows down again.
• More lawsuits possible: No matter what happens, schools and players are likely to keep challenging old NCAA rules in court.

For now, the transfer portal is full of players trying to anticipate what college sports will look like in a few months. Zeke Mayo’s case is just one example. Until a ruling comes down, everyone’s in limbo.