A new era of college athletics is beginning after a federal judge approved a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement last week that will drastically change the way college sports operate. The decision removes outdated amateurism rules from college sports and allows schools to begin paying their athletes directly.

Federal judge Claudia Wilken signed off on a settlement resolving three antitrust compensation cases brought against the NCAA.

Now that the long-awaited college athletics decision is final, the Badgers are poised to put their plan for this new era in motion.