NCAA Lifts Restrictions on Earnings

The NCAA Administrative Committee on Thursday lifted NCAA rules limiting compensation to so-called “restricted earnings” coaches.

The NCAA said the move was in reaction to a federal judge’s order Wednesday in favor of five coaches who argued that the earnings restrictions violated federal antitrust laws.

The restricted-earnings coach position was created in 1992 as a cost-cutting measure. It required NCAA schools to designate one coach in every sport but football as a restricted earnings coach, with pay limited to $16,000 a year. The NCAA also limited the number of coaches a school could have for each sport.

Thursday’s action means NCAA schools can pay restricted earnings coaches whatever they want, the NCAA said.