LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — At the University of Louisville, college athletics is evolving fast — but leaders say they’re working to make sure student-athletes don’t lose what makes the experience meaningful.
UofL currently supports about 650 student-athletes across 23 sports, with a small number of programs now receiving revenue-sharing dollars as the NIL era continues to reshape college sports.
Even with the rise of name, image and likeness opportunities and new financial structures, the university says most student-athletes still experience the same day-to-day routine. Players are still required to stay academically eligible, attend class, and maintain a set GPA in order to compete.
Rachael Cosgrove, associate athletics director of development, says the foundation of being a student-athlete hasn’t gone away — it’s simply expanded.
"The student athlete experience is still very much intact, it just now comes with a paycheck and the adult behaviors that align with that," Cosgrove said.
Looking ahead, UofL is expected to distribute roughly $20 million next school year to current athletes as part of the growing revenue-sharing model.
While the money has changed the landscape, university leaders say the goal remains the same: preserve the balance between education, athletics and real-world opportunity.
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