How the NCAA House Ruling Could Reshape UNC Basketball originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

It was only recently that North Carolina basketball made headlines for its jaw-dropping $14 million NIL investment. This was a bold, unapologetic declaration that the Tar Heels were all-in on winning in the new era of college athletics.

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Now, the rules have changed.

With the formal approval of the House v. NCAA settlement on Friday night, UNC’s strategy may be headed for a sudden and dramatic shift. The landmark decision not only ends years of litigation over athlete compensation but institutes a new framework that directly impacts how powerhouse programs like North Carolina do business.

At the heart of it: a $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap that schools must now work within to fund all sports. And while outside NIL deals will still be allowed, the days of uncapped internal payouts, like the $14 million reportedly earmarked for Tar Heel hoops are likely numbered.

So what does this mean for Carolina?

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First, the math gets tighter. With football still a major university priority under new leadership, including front office veteran Bill Belichick, UNC will need to divvy up its share of the revenue cap carefully. Allocating most of it to men’s basketball risks starving its football program at a time when it’s chasing relevance in a competitive ACC landscape.

Second, scrutiny rises. Under the new model, all NIL deals over $600 must pass through a clearinghouse to ensure they reflect fair market value and serve a legitimate business purpose. That oversight will test the creativity and legality of every booster-backed opportunity.

Still, don’t count UNC out.

The Tar Heels boast a national brand, an NBA pipeline, and a roster of former players turned moguls ready to support current athletes through legitimate NIL opportunities. Those advantages don’t disappear under the House ruling, they just need to be leveraged with precision.

UNC head coach Hubert Davis in discussion with a referee.© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

With a top-15 recruiting class inbound, transfers like 7-foot Arizona product Henri Veesaar, and international guard Luka Bogavac joining the fold, UNC remains a destination. But sustaining that momentum under tighter financial and regulatory conditions will require smarter spending, shrewder deals, and a more integrated athletic department than ever before.

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The College Sports Commission, helmed by former MLB executive Bryan Seeley will enforce the new cap and audit programs that exceed it. That means every dollar spent in Chapel Hill now comes with risk.

The Tar Heels helped define college basketball’s past. Whether they can dominate its future will depend not just on their talent—but on their ability to adapt.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

Tennessee basketball standout Zakai Zeigler is at the center of a legal battle that could reshape how college eligibility is determined. After playing 138 games over four seasons, Zeigler has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, seeking permission to play a fifth year.

This move has sparked a heated debate since the maximum eligibility timeline for a player to compete at the college level is four years. Surprisingly, some people firmly support the basketball standout, arguing that he deserves another chance, while others believe his time is up.

CBB Analyst Calls Zakai Zeigler Lawsuit an “Opportunity” to Rethink NCAA Rules

Tennessee basketball star Zakai Zeigler has officially finished his eligibility with the Volunteers after the 2024-25 season. Yet, he’s now taking a bold step by suing the NCAA.

He wants to challenge the rules so he can play a fifth year of college basketball. This decision has stirred up a lot of debate. Some analysts wonder if he truly deserves another season on the court.

I love Zakai Zeigler, but he’s played a full 4 years and 138 college games. That’s enough. Give a college freshman an opportunity. https://t.co/WmM1JjSqQO — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 20, 2025

Former lawyer C. Ehrlich tweeted about the lawsuit, saying, “Another eligibility lawsuit has been filed against the NCAA, this time by Tennessee basketball’s Zakai Zeigler. This is something of a twist from the formula: Zeigler, who has played at UT since his true freshman year in 2021, seeks a fifth year within his eligibility window.”

At the center of this issue is the growing importance of NIL—Name, Image, and Likeness. Zeigler and his legal team argue that the NCAA’s rule blocks players from earning what they truly deserve. They claim it violates antitrust laws and limits how athletes can benefit during their eligibility years.

However, not everyone agrees with Zeigler. Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman wrote, “I love Zakai Zeigler, but he’s played a full 4 years and 138 college games. That’s enough. Give a college freshman an opportunity.”

Goodman’s point is pretty clear: since Zeigler has already completed four seasons, giving him a fifth year might block younger players from getting their chance.

During his time with Tennessee, Zeigler averaged 11.3 points and 5.4 assists per game. His senior year was his best, with 13.6 points and 7.4 assists per game. He even set a Tennessee record for assists in a season.

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This lawsuit could become a major turning point in college sports. If Zeigler wins, it might change how eligibility is handled and more athletes could stay in school longer, play more games, and maximize their NIL opportunities.