Update on House vs. NCAA and Our Future at DePaul Athletics

Dear Blue Demons,

I am following up on my previous message regarding the preliminary settlement in the House v. NCAA class action lawsuits concerning Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) – and what this means for DePaul Athletics today.

This case marks a transformative moment in college athletics, with far-reaching implications for every NCAA Division I institution. As of late this evening, the settlement has been officially approved and will take effect on July 1, 2025. This is a milestone in reshaping our collegiate sports landscape, and at DePaul we are fully committed to navigating these changes in a way that positions us for long-term success.

What Changes on July 1?
Here are most significant changes set to take effect:

Institutional Revenue Sharing: For the first time, institutions may directly compensate student-athletes for their NIL rights, up to a national cap. At DePaul, this means our NIL efforts will be managed internally, rather than through third-party collectives. Donor contributions toward NIL will now qualify for existing benefit levels and be eligible for tax deductions under DePaul's standard processes.
Roster Limits & Scholarships: New roster limits will be introduced and phased in by sport, potentially resulting in adjustments to roster sizes over time. For example, men's and women's soccer may see net reductions, while track and field will likely grow significantly. Importantly, institutions will be allowed to provide scholarships equivalent to roster sizes. At DePaul, we will maintain our current scholarship levels and responsibly increase our roster sizes to help generate additional tuition revenue to the university.
NIL Back Damages: Student-athletes who were on rosters from June 2016 to 2024 are eligible for retroactive NIL compensation. DePaul's share of these damages will be absorbed through reduced NCAA revenue distributions over the next decade.

Facing the Financial Challenge
While these reforms introduce exciting opportunities for student-athletes, they also present significant financial challenges. Fortunately, our new BIG EAST television broadcast agreement helps offset some, but not all, of these costs.

In anticipation of today's approval, our senior leadership team spent the winter and spring carefully modeling the financial impact and developing a roadmap that ensures DePaul not only adapts but also thrives in this new environment. It required difficult decisions, including operational reductions and identifying new revenue streams. I'm deeply grateful to our university administration and shared governance partners for their collaboration throughout this critical planning process.

In the coming months you will see several of these changes come to fruition, including a revised donor priority point system, the introduction of per-seat contributions on season tickets, ticket pricing adjustments, renegotiation of select partnerships and several other departmental efficiencies, such as free admission to select Olympic sporting events which helps us reduce associated staffing and administrative costs. We are focused on balancing operational efficiency with fan affordability, and we believe these steps will help build a more competitive and sustainable future for DePaul Athletics.

We are confident that DePaul Athletics will embrace these changes in a position of strength – more efficient, nimble and competitive than ever before.

How You Can Help
We cannot succeed in this new era without your continued support. Here's how you can make a direct impact:

Buy Season Tickets: Deposits as well as renewals for 2025-26 men's and women's basketball season tickets are available now.
Support NIL Efforts: Consider a tax-deductible gift to the Fund for Men's Basketball Excellence or the Doug Bruno Fund for Women's Basketball Excellence. Your contribution directly supports student-athlete recruitment, retention, financial aid, and NIL revenue sharing.
Invest in Our Future: Support DePaul's capital campaign to help fund a new state-of-the-art practice facility. This critical investment will enhance our performance, exposure and national competitiveness – benefiting not only Athletics but our entire institution.

Thank you for being a vital part of the DePaul family. Your support helps us meet this moment and deliver a championship-caliber experience for our student-athletes, while reinforcing DePaul's role as a leader in the next chapter of college athletics.

This impact reaches far beyond the playing fields—strengthening our university community, enhancing DePaul's national profile, and creating opportunities that benefit all students, faculty, and staff. Together, we are advancing a shared vision of excellence that elevates our entire institution.

Go Blue Demons!
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DeWayne Peevy
Vice President & Director of Athletics
DePaul University

DePaul University Athletics

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