PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's University announced that it will opt-in to the historic House vs. NCAA settlement, paving the way for licensing of student-athletes' name, image and likeness. 

The University's decision reaffirms its commitment to competitive excellence in basketball and the holistic development of its student-athletes. In 2023-24 and 2024-25, the Saint Joseph's men's basketball program swept the first two Big 5 Classic Championships, advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Championship, and participated in the storied NIT postseason tournament. During those same years, the women's basketball program won the Big 5 (in 2023-24), advanced to the title game of the Atlantic 10 Championship (in 2024-25), and participated in the NCAA's first two WBIT postseason tournaments. 

"St. Joe's basketball programs are an enormous part of the history and tradition of the University, and enrich the experience of the entire student body, university community and alumni base. " said Jill Bodensteiner, JD, MBA, vice president and athletic director at Saint Joseph's University. "By opting in, we're ensuring that our men's and women's basketball programs can continue competing at the highest levels of the Atlantic 10 and Big 5."

With generous financial support from multiple alumni, Saint Joseph's basketball now has a state-of-the art basketball training facility in the Maguire Athletic Center to complement historic Hagan Arena and newly-renovated basketball locker rooms and coaches' offices. Prior investments in coaching and support staff, as well as student-athlete financial support, allow the Hawks to compete among the best of the Atlantic 10.

"While we have spent the last several years preparing our basketball programs to enter this new era, we must continue to get better. Our goals are ambitious, but with the support of our passionate fan base and donors, they are absolutely within reach," said Bodensteiner.

Notably, the University's announcement of its decision to opt-in comes after the terms of the final, approved settlement provided relief to current student-athletes on the issue of roster limits. 

"Previous iterations of the House settlement, which has been negotiated exclusively by the NCAA and power 4 conferences, would have required all institutions that opt-in to immediately meet new roster limits by 'cutting' student-athletes from teams," said Bodensteiner. "The final settlement – while unreasonably delayed and far from perfect – allows institutions to exceed the new roster limits by retaining or adding, at the institution's discretion, select 'designated' student-athletes."