The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is taking a significant step forward by joining the House settlement agreement for the upcoming academic year. This decision marks a shift in strategy as the university aims to align itself with broader collegiate athletic trends.
Previously, Omaha had opted out of participating in the House settlement, which permits athletes to earn direct compensation for their participation in college sports. However, the university now believes that delaying its participation has enabled its athletic department to thrive under the new revenue-sharing model.
In an official statement, Omaha Athletic Director Adrian Dowell emphasized the strategic importance of this decision: “Opting in to and efficiently executing the terms of the House settlement gives Omaha Athletics a competitive edge and aligns us with our conference and national peers. This is another defining moment to position our program for sustainable success.”
Furthermore, UNO outlined that this move is part of a broader initiative to enhance educational benefits, often referred to as “Alston Awards.” The plan includes increasing scholarships and cost-of-attendance stipends specifically for select high-revenue sports, and strengthening institutional and third-party Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) arrangements in collaboration with strategic partners such as the Omaha Bull Market Collective.
In contrast, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, another public Division I institution in the state, has taken a different approach. Its athletic department recently secured a $10 million investment for NIL purposes from its multimedia rights partner, Playfly Sports Properties, LLC. According to football coach Matt Rhule, this investment reflects a “different model” in response to the evolving terms and rules of the House settlement, particularly as the 1890 Nebraska NIL collective transitions out.
