Kate Roggio Buck spoke with Times Higher Education regarding the NCAA settlement and how bankruptcy would reshape college sports. Ongoing and future litigation brought by student athletes over their lost earnings potential could push the NCAA toward bankruptcy. “Eventually, the NCAA will not have the resources to fight battles on so many fronts, and they may choose or be forced to file bankruptcy,” Kate said.
Previous lawsuits against the NCAA have opened the door to students being able to profit off their own name, image, and likeness, and be paid directly by their colleges. Bankruptcy might not be bad news, said Kate, since bankruptcy can often help sort out complex multiparty damages claims. It could give the NCAA time to “plot a path forward in an orderly manner,” she said.