As the 2025-26 season kicks off, the University of North Carolina (UNC) finds itself in the midst of a transformative era in college athletics. The old markers of success—conference titles, Final Four runs—still matter, but there’s a new game in town: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and revenue sharing.
The House settlement in June 2025 ended the NCAA’s ban on players sharing in the revenue their sports generate. Now, schools can distribute millions directly to athletes. For UNC, it’s a balancing act—honoring tradition while facing the financial shifts that are shaking up college sports.
The House Settlement: A Landmark Shift
June 2025 brought a legal agreement called the House settlement, which upended college athletics as we knew them. The lawsuit behind it? Former athletes argued it was unfair to keep players from sharing in the billions their sports rake in.
The NCAA’s old model is gone. Schools can now share revenue directly with athletes, and starting this season, each university can distribute about $20 to $22 million a year. That’s on top of whatever athletes make from their own NIL deals with outside companies.
So, for the first time, players are being formally paid by their universities. It’s the end of the old amateurism model—something that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
UNC’s Revenue Distribution
At UNC, $20.5 million is on the table for athletes this year. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Football: $13 million
- Men’s Basketball: $7 million
- Women’s Basketball: $250,000
- Baseball: $250,000
These numbers are set to rise by about four percent each year. It’s a steady increase, and it’s all about investing in athletes’ financial well-being.
The NIL Era: Operational Priorities for Men’s Basketball
For UNC men’s basketball, NIL is more than a buzzword—it’s a top priority. UNC brought in Jim Tanner as general manager for the men’s program, a move that signals just how serious things have gotten on the business side.
Tanner’s job? Make sure players and staff are ready to handle contracts, compliance, and financial planning. It’s a lot, but it’s necessary if you want to keep up these days.
Bill Belichick’s Impact on UNC Football
On the football front, UNC made waves by hiring Bill Belichick as head coach. He started in December 2024, bringing decades of NFL wisdom to Chapel Hill.
Belichick’s contract is $10 million per year—a massive commitment, but one that reflects the expectations riding on the program. The Tar Heels are 2–2 to start the 2025 season, working out the kinks in a pro-style system.
Now, with performance-based revenue distribution, the team’s success isn’t just about pride—it’s tied directly to financial rewards. Wins and national relevance suddenly mean even more than before.
The New Carolina Standard
The New Carolina Standard in 2025 is a bit of a paradox. Sure, trophies and banners still matter, but so do dollars distributed and contracts negotiated.
For athletes, it’s about what they achieve on the field and what opportunities they create for themselves while they’re still in school. UNC’s challenge? Balancing tradition with transformation, staying true to its roots while adapting to the new money-driven landscape.
Balancing Tradition and Transformation
UNC’s approach is all about finding that sweet spot between honoring its storied past and embracing the new financial realities. The scoreboard counts, but so does the bottom line.
By leaning into NIL and revenue sharing, UNC is putting itself out front in this new era. It’s not always easy, but the university’s proactive stance shows it’s committed to its athletes’ success—on the court, on the field, and in their future bank accounts.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 season feels like a real turning point for UNC and, honestly, for college sports everywhere. NIL and revenue sharing aren’t just buzzwords anymore—they’re changing what it means to succeed, putting financial health right up there with wins and trophies.
UNC’s bringing in Jim Tanner and even Bill Belichick says a lot about how seriously they’re taking all this. It’s not just about sticking to old ways; they’re clearly ready to adapt and figure out what works now.
If you want to dive deeper into how UNC’s handling the NIL era and what the House settlement means, check out the full article here.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
