NAU opting into House Settlement sheds light on program’s biggest needs

Northern Arizona University opted into the House Settlement this year, a move that allowed the school and its athletic department to directly compensate its student-athletes. The settlement, which was finalized by a U.S. District Court judge in 2025, is optional for schools to take part in.

By opting in, NAU is able to pay players using their name, image and likeness (NIL) through a reporting infrastructure. Schools that opted in this year are allowed to divvy up a maximum of approximately $21.3 million through the settlement, an increase of $20.5 million from a year ago.