A California federal judge granted final approval of the $2.576 billion damages settlement compensating current and former Division I student-athletes for their name, image and likeness while punting Friday on whether the National Collegiate Athletic Association must pay over $450 million in attorney fees and costs.
U.S. District Senior Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California ruled the NIL settlement agreement provides “fair and reasonable” relief to eligible class members and that she would issue a future decision addressing the lingering question over costs and fees.