A former Missouri football player and current MU swimmer have filed objections to the pending $2.8 billion legal settlement that could reshape college sports. D’Andre McKenzie, a walk-on cornerback who played for the Tigers from 2012-2015, and Seth Cannon, a freshman swimmer, submitted written objections to the settlement in the House v. NCAA case.
The settlement would add revenue sharing with athletes and deliver backpay damages to over 100,000 current and former athletes if approved. However, McKenzie’s objection argues that walk-on athletes like himself should be eligible for the same compensation as scholarship athletes, citing unfairness in the distinction between scholarships and walk-ons.
Cannon’s objection concerns the creation of roster limits as part of the settlement, which would restrict participation for athletes who don’t receive scholarships, leading to cuts in Olympic sports. He wrote that the impending roster cuts are putting pressure on current athletes, adding a layer of stress to every meet and affecting their focus.
Both McKenzie and Cannon directed their objections to Judge Claudia Wilken of the U.S. District Court in California’s northern district, where the case is proceeding. The deadline for objections was Friday, but despite waves of concerns, the settlement is expected to proceed forward with potential modifications.
If approved, the settlement would introduce roster limits, permit schools to share $20.5 million in revenue with athletes each year, and expand backpay component. McKenzie’s objection aims to modify the definition of eligible athletes under the football and men’s basketball class to include all Power 5 athletes who actively participated and contributed to their team.
The objections are not a legal action taken toward the University of Missouri, but rather an attempt to address concerns raised by current athletes regarding the settlement’s impact on college sports.
Source: https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/former-mizzou-football-walk-on-current-swimmer-file-objections-to-house-v-ncaa-settlement/article_c49c3e72-e00d-11ef-a3ca-1759c1c87e31.html