VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton University will "opt in" to the House v. NCAA settlement beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, Director of Athletics Eugene Marshall, Jr. announced on Wednesday.

The decision paves the way for the Bearcats to join the vast majority of NCAA Division I programs (more than 80%) in creating financial opportunities for student-athletes. The decision also helps forge a new framework for success in a rapidly changing college athletics landscape.

"With the ever-changing NCAA landscape, I believe this is the best way to support our student-athletes in the area of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)," Marshall, Jr. said. "As we move into this new phase of intercollegiate athletics, we will need everyone's support to continue our success, academically, athletically, and in the community."

Schools that "opt-in" will be able to pay players directly for their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights. Additionally, scholarship limits will be removed. The new classification also requires the Bearcats to adhere to roster caps for each sport.

More than 320 (of 365) NCAA Division I institutions have opted-in to the settlement. Binghamton now joins seven other America East members. The NCAA House settlement originated from a 2020 antitrust lawsuit. In May 2024, the NCAA announced a $2.8 billion settlement in back damages, with a future revenue-sharing model. 

Binghamton has captured two of the last three America East Commissioner's Cups for overall athletics excellence. The Bearcats had four conference championship teams in 2024-25. This winter, the Bing women's basketball team is a strong contender in the America East.