College athletes won a key victory Friday, as a federal judge ruled that athletes are eligible for a share of the NCAA's revenues under federal anti-trust laws. While the ruling doesn't mandate that schools compensate athletes, it does allow them to set up trusts to be paid out to athletes after their collegiate playing days are over, without losing their eligibility as amateur athletes under NCAA guidelines. The judge's decision is expected to fuel other similar lawsuits, including several already in motion aimed at transforming college athletics essentially into a free market. The NCAA is expected to appeal the ruling.
See "O?Bannon v. NCAA ruling could set up larger arguments over college sports, experts say", Rick Maese, The Washington Post, August 10, 2014