Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina University and Catamount Athletics today announced their intentions to opt in to revenue sharing outlined in the House v. NCAA settlement, the landmark resolution that addresses past restrictions on student-athlete compensation in a shift from previous amateurism models.
 
Scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2025, WCU will be allowed to offer benefits directly to student-athletes beginning with the 2025-26 academic year. Schools that opt in agree to the financial terms, including revenue sharing, and must adhere to roster limitations rather than scholarship caps with oversight provided by the newly established independent College Sports Commission.
 
"This decision to opt in is designed to strengthen not only Catamount  Athletics, but Western Carolina University as a whole," said Kyle Pifer, WCU's director of athletics. "Opting in will allow WCU Athletics to be more competitive and allow us to continue with our guiding principles of delivering our student-athletes a first-class, championship experience.
 
"I am grateful for our Catamount coaches, Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and the administration here at Western Carolina University, and our Catamount Club membership for their continued support as we all navigate the changing landscape in this new era of intercollegiate athletics."
 
Catamount Athletics originally planned to forgo opting in this year to survey the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics and to be better positioned with a full understanding of new legislation. However, as more information has been released with the House settlement from the courts this summer, the athletics department and university officials have determined that now is the time to opt in to the terms of the House vs. NCAA settlement.

Under the provisions of the settlement, all Power Four conference schools were automatically included, while other NCAA Division I institutions had the option to opt in individually. At present, most of the schools within the Southern Conference have indicated plans to opt into the settlement.
 
Opting in to the settlement gives WCU institutional control over player agreement details, shifting fundraising and accountability for player compensation from externally managed "collectives" — in WCU's case, from the Cullowhee Collective, formed by several alumni in 2024 — to the university. Opting in can also offer advantages in student-athlete recruitment and retention, allowing the opportunity to utilize a portion of athletic revenue to benefit student-athletes directly.