College athletes whose efforts primarily benefit their schools may qualify as employees deserving of pay under federal wage-and-hour laws, a U.S. appeals court in Philadelphi ruled Thursday in a setback to the NCAA.

The court, in the latest challenge to the NCAA’s long-held notion of “amateurism” in college sports, said that a test should be developed to differentiate between students who play college sports for fun and those whose effort “crosses the legal line into work.”

“With professional athletes as the clearest indicators, playing sports can certainly constitute compensable work,” U.S. Circuit Judge L. Felipe Restrepo wrote. “Ultimately, the touchstone remains whether the cumulative circumstances of the relationship between the athlete and college or NCAA reveal an economic reality that is that of an employee-employer.”

The NCAA had hoped to have the case dismissed, but it will instead go back to the trial judge for fact finding.

The ruling follows a 2021 Supreme Court decision that led the NCAA to amend its rules to allow athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness. In May, the NCAA announced a nearly $2.8 billion revenue-sharing plan that could steer millions of dollars directly to athletes by next year.

College football: Georgia starting LB Smael Mondon was arrested by Athens-Clarke County police on Wednesday on charges of speeding and reckless driving, according to jail records. Earlier this week, freshman OL Bo Hughley was arrested by University of Georgia police on similar charges as the team’s difficulty with driving offenses continues. On March 24, RB Trevor Etienne was arrested on charges of drunken driving. The DUI charges against Etienne were dismissed Wednesday when he pleaded no contest to other charges. In January 2023 — hours after Georgia celebrated its second straight national title — OL Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in a crash while LeCroy and DT Jalen Carter were racing.

Golf: Justin Thomas had eight birdies and no bogeys Thursday in an opening-round 8-under 62 for a one-stroke lead at the Scottish Open. ... Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad and Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh each shot an opening-round 7-under 64 at the Evian Championship in France to take a share of a one-stroke lead in the women’s major.

NBA: Six-time All-Star PG Kyle Lowry announced that he has agreed to remain with the 76ers. ESPN reported that the deal is for one year. Financial terms weren’t yet available. The 38-year-old Lowry is a native of Philadelphia and played his college ball at nearby Villanova.

NFL: The Titans signed three-time Pro Bowl S Jamal Adams. Terms of the deal weren’t yet available. The 28-year-old was released by the Seahawks in March. ... Former longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who spent more than 50 years coaching in the NFL and collegiate ranks, died. He was 84. Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the Buccaneers, including when they won the Super Bowl at the end of the 2002 season. Kiffin’s son Lane is the coach at Ole Miss.