The settlement provides for a new system of roster limits. Scholarship limits will only apply to the total number of roster slots. However, in many cases, the roster limit sizes for gymnastics, 20, is less than the size of a number of school's current and projected roster for 2025-2026. Athletes, especially those making non-scholarship commitments to programs, should ask how many roster slots are left for 2025-2026 and beyond. Please note however, that these roster limits and the program has not been finalized. Some are reportedly pushing for a phased-in approach for current rosters. However, athletes in some sports like Men's Gymnastics are already being notified their scholarships will not be renewed or a spot may not be available for next season. The early notice of non-renewal and pulled scholarship are because once the settlement is approved, the current awarded scholarships must be honored (at an individual level).
What's more, per the settlement document (see Article 4, Section 1, page 19) the schools must scramble to find ways fund the new player payments and more scholarships for high profile revenue sports like football (where the scholarship limit effectively goes up by 20 spots). They will first seek new revenue sources to help pay for the $20.5M (Updated to the latest estimates) per year in extra expenses, such as a talent fee surcharge on football tickets. Some may chose to opt out of the program entirely, or take a look at their commitment to college athletics. Eventually, some may chose to maximize their player payments by reducing scholarship spots in other sports or the number of sports that they offer. These may likely start with men's sports first, due to considerations for Title IX, but their actions may not be limited to just those. The current agreement also provides that any additional scholarships and previously adjudicated Alston payments will count against funds in the new profit sharing pool. The individual schools currently also have an unrestricted right to drop sports or reduce support moving forward (as long as they honor the existing awarded scholarships).
See our list of 2025-2026 expected signees here: LINK
Link: ESPN Article on Settlement Uncertainty
Link: Settlement on Scholarship Limits: Article 4, Section 1, p 19