Were you or your loved ones deeply affected by the University of North Carolina Tar Heels losing a backbreaking National Championship game on a Kris Jenkins shot for the ages? You may be entitled to financial compensation.
While the 2016-17 redemption title might be the most cathartic moment in Tar Heels history, any true fan knows that it stung somewhat that UNC mainstays Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige were already off campus by then. Without Isaiah Hicks' ridiculous hanging-way-too-long-in-the-air insurance bucket and Nigel Williams-Goss blowing a tire, the Heels may never have earned a karmic repayment from the universe. Thankfully, Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson and Co. were able to deliver for their brothers ... who now, nearly a decade later, have a shot at an actual repayment.
After the landmark resolution in the House v. NCAA decision that was handed down entering the weekend, athletes are officially entitled to revenue sharing. That includes $2.8 billion (with a B) in backpay intended for athletes who competed from 2016 to 2025 and never received their full worth.
Congratulations to a proud team of Heels that deserved better than a title-game heartbreaker. This won't erase the pain, but it'll ease some of the endorsements-taken-off-the-table-as-the-buzzer-sounded sting.
UNC Tar Heels athletes from 2016-2025 now entitled to revenue sharing after landmark House v. NCAA decision
As for how this new resolution will change the upcoming basketball season and beyond, UNC athletes will now be entitled to as much as $20.5 million in revenue, which has been allotted for the university to share with their scholar athletes. The final hurdle - judges quibbling with "roster limits" and the way universities would set the proper parameters - caused multiple delays, but was amended and settled at the tail end of the week.
Now, your favorite UNC stars who didn't see their pro dreams blossom as much as we expected after graduation, who gave their blood, sweat and tears to this university from 2016 to present, can finally get a piece of the pie. That's got to be especially meaningful to those who graduated or departed between the 2016 heartbreaker and 2017 victory, considering how much financial windfall and goodwill they brought to the university during their Final Four run.