Law360 Publishes Article by Alison Silveira, Lilah Wylde, and Natalie Costero on Litigation’s Expanding Role in College Athletics

Law360 featured an article by Alison Silveira, Lilah Wylde, and Natalie Costero, “Why The Road To Final Four Runs Through The Courthouse.” The piece, published on March 20, 2026, examines how courts and contract enforcement are increasingly shaping athlete mobility, NIL relationships, and roster stability across college athletics.

The article highlights a growing body of litigation involving NIL agreements, transfer disputes, damages claims, and eligibility challenges, signaling a fundamental shift away from NCAA‑centered regulation and toward a system governed by contract law and judicial remedies. The authors also provide practical guidance for universities and NIL sponsors navigating this evolving legal landscape.

As the authors explain:

“Viewed together, these disputes reveal something more significant than isolated litigation. They reflect the emergence of a new enforcement architecture for college athletics — one that increasingly relies on contract law and judicial remedies rather than NCAA regulatory processes.” 

The full article is available here.