University of Memphis Pays $11M to Student-Athletes

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The University of Memphis has disclosed that it paid $11 million to student-athletes under a new revenue-sharing program. This comes as a result of a 2019 shift in California that allowed college athletes to receive payments for their name, image and likeness, as well as a recent U.S. District judge settlement permitting university athletic departments to distribute up to $20.5 million annually in revenue to student-athletes.

Why it matters

The move to allow college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness has been a major shift in the landscape of college sports. This revenue-sharing program at the University of Memphis is an example of how schools are adapting to these new rules and finding ways to compensate student-athletes.

The details

Under the new revenue-sharing program, the University of Memphis paid $11 million directly to its student-athletes. This is the first time the university has disclosed these types of payments. The U of M Board of Trustees will hear a presentation on the program this week.

• In 2019, California passed a law allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.
• Last year, a U.S. District judge finalized a settlement permitting university athletic departments to distribute up to $20.5 million annually in revenue to student-athletes.
• This past week, the University of Memphis disclosed it paid $11 million to student-athletes under its new revenue-sharing program.
• On March 4, 2026, the U of M Board of Trustees will hear a presentation on the revenue-sharing program.

What’s next

The U of M Board of Trustees will hear a presentation on the revenue-sharing program on March 4, 2026.