NCAA’s $2.8 Billion Settlement Sparks Strong Reaction from Former Kentucky Star: ‘Athletes Were Being Exploited’

In the aftermath of the NCAA’s landmark $2.8 billion antitrust settlement, former University of Kentucky basketball star DeMarcus Cousins has added his voice to the growing chorus of former athletes calling out the organization’s treatment of student-athletes.

Cousins, who helped lead the Wildcats to an Elite Eight appearance in 2010 before launching a successful NBA career, didn’t mince words when reacting to the news.

> “Let’s be real — athletes were being exploited,” Cousins said during an interview on Friday. “We brought in millions, sold out arenas, sold jerseys with our numbers, and yet we couldn’t legally make a single dollar. It was modern-day exploitation, plain and simple.”

The massive settlement comes after years of lawsuits and public scrutiny over the NCAA’s policies, which for decades prohibited athletes from profiting off their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The agreement will allocate billions to compensate both current and former players who were restricted under those now-defunct rules.

Cousins, long known for his blunt and passionate takes, said the settlement is a “step in the right direction,” but added that it doesn’t fully repair the damage caused by the system.

> “This should’ve happened years ago. You’ve got guys who gave everything to their schools, got injured, and were left with nothing while the NCAA kept cashing checks,” he said.

While the NCAA prepares to adjust its business model to accommodate a new era of college athletics, former players like Cousins are urging institutions not to stop here. He called for expanded healthcare support for former athletes and more guaranteed educational opportunities.

> “I’m glad today’s players can finally get a piece of what they’ve earned. But we can’t forget about the ones who came before — who built the system without ever seeing the reward.”

As debate continues over what college sports should look like in a post-settlement era, voices like Cousins’ are adding urgency to the conversation — one that may forever reshape the business of amateur athletics.