🎧 SportsWise Podcast Recap: The Dawn of a New Era in College Sports with Jeffrey Kessler and Rakesh Kilaru

This update focuses on a recent episode of the SportsWise podcast featuring Rakesh Kilaru (attorney for the NCAA) and Jeffrey Kessler (lead attorney for the plaintiffs in House v. NCAA).

They dive into the mechanics of the proposed settlement — revenue sharing, roster limits, NIL regulation — and offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at how this massive legal shift came together.

🔍 There are a number of revealing (and at times stunning) quotes — listed below.
But the most troubling moment?
👉 Rakesh’s flippant and callous dismissal of the number of athlete objections — exposing just how disconnected this process has become from the people it's supposed to protect.

🗣️ Quote – Rakesh on Lack of Objections:
"There were months when everyone had the opportunity to find lawyers... And if you look at the numbers, there’s something like 389,000, 390,000 student-athletes who were affected by the settlement. And I think it was nine came in and said, I think I’ve actually lost the roster spot as a result of the settlement."

 
🕵️‍♂️ Let’s Break It Down:

🗓️ The NCAA Didn't Even Disclose Details Until Mid-December

The first real Q&A from the NCAA didn’t drop until mid-December 2024 — months after preliminary approval. That’s when some details about roster limits, cap structures, and revenue sharing were finally revealed.

So yes, athletes had “months” — of silence, confusion, and spin. 🤐

🧠 Most Athletes Had NO Idea What Was Going On

In January, Athletes.org surveyed D1 football players:
💥 76% said they had not been informed of the House settlement or how it would affect them.

That’s 4 out of 5 athletes left completely in the dark — and now their silence is being used as proof of approval? 😤

 
⚖️ “Find a Lawyer” — Easier Said Than Done

Rakesh’s claim that athletes “could’ve found lawyers” is painfully out of touch.

Here’s why that’s ridiculous:

🎓 Most athletes are full-time students, not legal experts
💸 Many lack the resources or support to hire a lawyer
😰 Fear of retaliation or eligibility loss looms large
📄 The case spans hundreds of pages of legalese and billions in antitrust implications

🙄 And we’re pretending that’s an easy lift?

 
📊 Reality Check: The Cuts Are Real

Rakesh cites only 9 objections? Let’s talk real numbers.

🚨 A parent-led survey recently found over 600 athletes who say they’ve already been cut from teams — and that number is growing every week.

And remember:
❌ The settlement hasn’t even been approved yet.
🚨 The 389,000 Rakesh mostly is mostly FORMER athletes, with nothing to lose.  Who wouldnt say yes to free money??

 
🔥 Alarming Quotes:

🗣️ Kessler on Non-Power 4 Schools Competing

"If you really think that your non-P4 football team is competing with Alabama, get a new life. OK? It’s not going to be true before, and it’s not going to be true tomorrow."

😳 Wow. This from the guy claiming the deal is good for athletes and preserves opportunity?

💥 Newsflash:

🏈 Non-P4 teams have beaten Alabama
🐎 Boise State, App State, UCF (pre Big12) & others have proved they can compete
🧠 That’s the spirit of college sports — not a gated country club for elites

This isn't about fantasy — it’s about fairness 💪
Don’t tell 80% of D1 schools to “get a new life” — give them a fair shot 🎓

 
🗣️ Rakesh on March Madness & Parity

"You get Loyola Chicago in there... There’s something about that event that I think does create a paramount competitive balance..."

📉 Not this year. The 2025 Final Four:
🏀 All #1 seeds
💰 All with massive payrolls
🚫 No Cinderellas. No Loyola. No parity.

💡 This new system isn’t preserving balance — it’s locking in the advantage for the wealthiest schools.

 
📣 Final Thought
Kessler and Rakesh come across as heavy on confidence, but light on facts and accountability.

They speak with certainty that the settlement will be approved — yet they’re intentionally dismissive of the very real and growing list of legitimate objections.

From ignoring the 600+ reported athlete cuts, to brushing off the fact that most athletes didn’t even know about the settlement, their posture isn’t just arrogant — it’s dangerous.

#NoRosterLimits #HousevNCAA #MidMajorsMatter #LetThemCompete #ProtectStudentAthletes #FairnessNow