Big Ten Sets Caps for Schools Setting Up Third-Party NIL Deals, Players’ Attorneys Issue Warning

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten approved a first-of-its-kind rule Wednesday limiting its schools to arranging no more than $27.5 million in third-party name, image, likeness deals for players — a number that matches the amount that would be added to the existing revenue-sharing cap if the Protect College Sports Act becomes federal law. In a statement, the conference said the rule "not only allows for a much smoother transition into the policies put in place by the act once it passes, but demonstrates our commitment to it.” But plaintiffs' attorneys in the $2.8 billion House settlement that set regulations for paying players said the rule violates the landmark agreement. “Our team is reviewing the rule and intends to fight any proposed limit to what the NCAA and conferences agreed to under the House settlement,” attorney Steve Berman said. “Any cap that would keep schools from facilitating deals is a step in the wrong direction.” The Senate passed the PCSA in September by