The National Collegiate Athletic Association and the five most powerful athletic conferences agreed to a historic $2.8 billion settlement, paving the way for college athletes to be directly compensated for the first time ever. The deal, which must still be approved by a judge, would provide back pay to athletes, as well as allow colleges to pay their players up to $20 million per college going forward. Critics say the deal is flawed and risks creating gender-based pay inequalities and will disadvantage smaller conferences.