UNO to Opt In to House Settlement Terms

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has announced Omaha Athletics has opted in to the terms of the House case settlement effective for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Over the past two years, UNO has actively engaged with national experts, and legal counsel to evaluate these areas and plan for the future. As part of the strategy, in June, UNO chose to not opt-in for the initial year of the settlement, citing its long-term strategy and the determination of the 2026–2027 academic year as the optimal point of entry.

This approach has allowed the institution to strengthen its already robust holistic student-athlete experience – which includes recently announced $67.5 million in new athletics facilities projects – while positioning operations and stakeholders to succeed in the revenue sharing era.

• Adrian Dowell, Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics: “We’re moving forward with confidence, clarity, and the support of a fan base that believes in our mission. Opting in to and efficiently executing the terms of the House settlement gives Omaha Athletics a competitive edge and aligns us with our conference and national peers. This is another defining moment to position our program for sustainable success.”

• Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, UNO Chancellor: “The time is now. By opting in at this moment, we have solidified UNO’s ability to stay competitive. I want to thank Omaha Athletics and Adrian Dowell for approaching this decision with patience, foresight, discipline and thoughtfulness. Their strategic planning has kept the lifelong success of our student-athletes at the forefront of every conversation. This commitment is why the program continues to build such impressive momentum that is reshaping what’s possible for our athletic department as we head into a new era.”

Advancing Competitive Excellence

Opting in to the settlement terms aligns UNO with the majority of Division I peers, allowing the university to enhance its ability to attract and retain top student-athlete and coaching talent.

This decision is part of a multi-year plan to:

• Distribute education-related benefits, a form of revenue sharing also known as Alston Awards, instituted for the 2025-2026 academic year.

• Increase the amount of scholarships and cost-of-attendance stipends for select revenue sports.

• Solidify institutional and third-party NIL logistics with strategic partners, including Opendorse, the Omaha Bull Market Collective, Learfield, and adidas.

What’s Next and Ways to Support

UNO has collaborated with the College Sports Commission (CSC) to begin offering financial packages for the upcoming academic year to current student-athletes and recruits, adhering to the terms of the settlement.

The strength of Omaha Athletics will be defined by the community that stands behind it.

Support given through time, energy, and investment will help propel student-athletes and programs to continue achieving unprecedented success.

Two impactful ways the community can contribute to the sustainable success of Omaha Athletics and student-athletes are:

• The Competitive Excellence Fund: A strategic initiative launched to support Omaha Athletics as it enters a new era of collegiate sports. This fund helps athletics meet ever-evolving national standards and strengthens the financial packages available for coaches to offer student-athletes to enhance recruitment, retention, and development efforts. Learn more about the Competitive Excellence Fund.

• The Education Award Fund: Also known as Alston Awards, the fund recognizes and rewards student-athletes for their success in the classroom. As a reminder, Omaha Athletics began awarding education-related benefits this academic year, which constitutes a form of revenue sharing moving forward. With a 95% Graduation Success Rate and a 3.5 cumulative GPA, Maverick student-athletes are redefining academic excellence in college athletics. Learn more about the Education Award Fund.

More Ways the Mavericks Fan Base Can Make an Impact

• Explore NIL Partnerships: Local businesses, organizations and individuals interested in working with student-athletes on NIL opportunities can connect through our partners at Omaha Sports Properties (Learfield Corporate Sponsorships), the Omaha Bull Market Collective or the Opendorse NIL Marketplace. These entities help create meaningful partnerships that support student-athletes and strengthen our community.

• Get in the Game: Purchasing tickets helps provide resources that directly benefit coaches and student-athletes. Attend Maverick games and bring the energy that fuels the championship caliber environment needed to continue competing for titles.

• Follow and Engage on Social Media: Based on information provided by CSC regarding NIL range of compensation parameters, following Maverick teams and student-athletes on social media directly impacts the ability of Omaha student-athletes to take full advantage of NIL opportunities. Now more than ever, likes, shares, and positive support make a difference.

With strategic planning, community support, and a steadfast commitment to the holistic student-athlete experience, UNO is set to excel in a new and ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.