Today we’re diving into some ongoing battles over athlete pay, from college athletics to the WNBA. In the case of college sports, a recent lawsuit settlement involving the NCAA allows colleges and universities to pay their athletes directly. On the show today, sports journalist Kennington Lloyd Smith III explains how college athlete pay has evolved, how the recent House v. NCAA settlement could strain athletic departments, and what could come from the WNBA players’ current fight for more equitable pay. Plus, the sports private equity firms are eyeing.

Then, we’ll hear how one listener got involved in local government. Plus, Paralympic sled hockey gold medalist Declan Farmer answers the Make Me Smart question.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"How college athletes will be paid after House v. NCAA settlement: NIL changes, enforcement, contracts and more" from CBS Sports
"Trump signs executive order to 'protect' college sports" from Politico
"Down to Business: Valuations are wild, returns are rocky. But women’s sports teams are in demand" from The Athletic
"The WNBA Has a Good Problem on Its Hands" from The Atlantic
"Private equity tees up to invest in youth sports" from Marketplace
"Travelers aren't big fans of TSA's facial recognition program, report finds" from Marketplace

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

A new era of athlete pay in the U.S.