Colleges Can Pay Athletes Directly Following $2.8B Landmark Settlement + Coco Gauff Vs Arya Sabalenka

Reese, Pam and Alex revist yesterday's conversation about Aryna Sabalenka's controversial comments about Coco Gauff and their match and discuss colleges beign able to pay atheletes directly.

Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka faced each other in two high-profile Grand Slam finals in 2023 and 2025, each showcasing a different dynamic and outcome. In the 2023 US Open final, 19-year-old American Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. 

The 2025 French Open final saw a rematch between the two, where Gauff won again. Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 French Open women's singles final, securing her second Grand Slam title with a 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–4 victory. This win marks the first time an American woman has claimed the Roland Garros title since Serena Williams in 2015.

Sabalenka expressed frustration after the match, attributing her loss to her own mistakes rather than crediting Gauff's performance. Were Sabalenka’s comments out of line?

Colleges can now begin paying athletes directly following a $2.8B landmark settlement. What exactly does this mean? Is this good or bad?