Ralph D. Russo

Stay informed with Ralph D. Russo’s coverage and analysis for Fortune.

  • Caleb WilliamsFinance

    Big bucks for college athletes: settlement payouts to range from dollars to millions

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • Referees break up altercation between college football playersFinance

    Here are the college athletes who likely would get paid first as the NCAA and top conferences approve $2.8 billion antitrust settlement

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • Caitlin ClarkFinance

    Monumental new deal for athletes: Colleges can pay students after NCAA, conferences agree to $2.8 billion settlement

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • FILE – Southern California coach Lincoln Riley has eggnog poured onto him after USC defeated Louisville in the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, in San Diego. With the expanded College Football Playoff locked in through 2031, questions still remain about what the rest of the postseason will look like. One thing is certain, there will still be bowl games. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)Success

    College athletes are closer than ever to getting paid. Here’s how it could work—and what stands in the way

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • UCLA football players huddleFinance

    The NCAA and top college conferences could pay $3 billion and share revenue with athletes to settle an antitrust lawsuit

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • NCAASuccess

    NCAA immediately bows to court order to make transfer athletes immediately eligible to play

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • FILE -Duke’s Kyle Filipowski (30) blocks the shot of Dartmouth’s Dusan Neskovic, left, ahead of Duke’s Tyrese Proctor (5) and Ryan Young (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. More than half of Americans say they are against college athletes unionizing, though younger respondents were more supportive than older, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown, File)Politics

    Most Americans are against college athletes unionizing as Dartmouth men’s basketball players move toward forming the first labor union in college sports

    By Ralph D. Russo, Linley Sanders, and others
  • Dawn StaleySuccess

    ESPN signs $920 million, 8-year deal with NCAA for package including women’s college basketball tournament

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • Charlie BakerSuccess

    College sports largely applauds NCAA chief’s proposal to do the once unthinkable: Let schools pay athletes

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • AUBURN, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide prior to their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)Success

    Colleges could pay student-athletes at least $30,000 under new proposal that would shake up NCAA sports

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • NCAASuccess

    The attorneys who beat the NCAA in the Supreme Court are back with a new class-action antitrust suit seeking millions of dollars

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 26: Arterio Morris #2 of the Texas Longhorns shoots the ball during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 26, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)Politics

    ‘Confusion and uncertainty’ for college athletes over earnings sets off a big debate about whether Congress should intervene

    By Ralph D. Russo and The Associated Press
  • California Assemblymember Chris HoldenSuccess

    College athletes at major California programs could make up to $25,000 a year, according to a lawmaker’s new proposal

    By Beth Harris, Ralph D. Russo, and others
  • California lawmakers ad sports players gather round to talk.Success

    A California lawmaker wants colleges to pay athletes up to $25,000 a year plus costs in ongoing battle over student athlete compensation

    By Beth Harris, Ralph D. Russo, and others
  • Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Drew Shelton (66) blocks during the Rose Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Utah UtesFinance

    College athletes could be paid as much as $25,000 annually under new California bill

    By Beth Harris, Ralph D. Russo, and others