Morgan State University is allowing its student-athletes to directly receive a portion of the school’s sports revenue, according to a news release.

Morgan State’s Board of Regents approved the decision last month to opt into the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows the profit-sharing, joining numerous programs around the country that have started this process, such as the University of Maryland.

“Opting in ensures that we remain competitive while continuing to prioritize the well-being and success of our student-athletes,” said Dena Freeman-Patton, Morgan State’s vice president and director for intercollegiate athletics, in a statement. “This decision allows us to leverage institutional resources strategically, invest in our programs and create pathways for financial support beyond traditional [name, image and likeness] opportunities.”

The House v. NCAA class-action lawsuit came about in June 2020, changing the landscape of collegiate sports. The lawsuit alleges the NCAA and the Power Five conferences — Big Ten, Pacific-12, Atlantic Coast, Southeastern and Big 12 conferences — unjustly enriched themselves while preventing athletes from being compensated for their institutions’ use of their names, images and likenesses.

Last year, the NCAA reached a settlement, agreeing to pay nearly $2.7 billion to current and former athletes related to names, images and likenesses. Within the settlement, schools within the Power Five conferences were automatically entered into the payback program, while non-Power Five conference schools could choose to participate.

“Morgan’s decision to opt into the House v. NCAA settlement reflects our unwavering commitment to student-athlete success and our proactive approach to navigating the evolving landscape of college athletics,” said David K. Wilson, Morgan State’s president, in a statement.

The historically Black university in Baltimore will contribute around $231,227 to the payout fund while adhering to the new roster and scholarship limits within the settlement, according to the release.

Adjustments to rosters will also be made, such as cutting the football roster from 130 to 105 players. The cutbacks will allow the university the flexibility to expand opportunities in Olympic-related sports. Sports like men’s and women’s basketball and the tennis team could also experience roster changes, according to the release.

“Ultimately, this strengthens our ability to recruit, retain and support the next generation of Morgan Bear athletes,” Freeman-Patton said.

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