Wren Baker Sends Message to WVU Fans Following House Settlement: West Virginia Poised for the New Era of College Athletics
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In the wake of the landmark House v. NCAA settlement, West Virginia University’s Athletic Director Wren Baker addressed Mountaineer Nation with a message that was both resolute and visionary. The $2.8 billion settlement, which marks a seismic shift in college athletics, will usher in an era where schools can directly compensate student-athletes—a development that Baker described as “transformational, yet navigable.”
In a video message shared on social media and a letter posted to WVUsports.com, Baker reaffirmed the university’s commitment to adapting swiftly and responsibly to the settlement’s implications. “This is not just a financial shift—it’s a cultural one,” Baker said, standing inside the Milan Puskar Center, flanked by WVU flags and a silent confidence. “West Virginia will not be left behind. We will lead.”
The House settlement, if finalized by the courts, will not only compensate athletes retroactively but will also open the door to revenue-sharing models between universities and players. It’s a historic break from the NCAA’s amateurism model. For Baker, this isn’t cause for alarm—it’s a challenge WVU is ready to meet.
“West Virginians are no strangers to change. From coal to classrooms, from pastures to progress—we evolve. Athletics is no different,” Baker wrote in his open letter. “We will continue to invest in our athletes—financially, academically, and personally—because they deserve it, and because it’s the right thing to do.”
Baker acknowledged concerns about financial sustainability but hinted that the Mountaineers are already drafting a revenue-sharing model that aligns with their values and resources. He praised the alumni network and NIL collectives like Country Roads Trust, citing their crucial role in maintaining WVU’s competitiveness. “This is not a time to retreat,” he emphasized. “This is a time to unite.”
Behind the scenes, Baker has reportedly convened a working group consisting of legal experts, compliance officers, boosters, and former athletes to develop an equitable framework for implementation. “We will follow the law, but we will also follow our hearts,” he told a group of student-athletes earlier in the day.
WVU head football coach Rich Rodriguez echoed the sentiment, saying, “This is about doing right by the young men and women who wear the gold and blue. We’re behind them 100 percent.”
Wren Baker’s message struck a tone of determination rather than defiance. He avoided nostalgia and focused squarely on the future: a future where student-athletes are partners, not just participants.
“West Virginia is prepared,” he concluded. “Not just to survive this new era—but to shape it.”
As the legal dust settles, and the NCAA begins to draft the next chapter of collegiate sports, West Virginia University has made its position clear: it won’t be a spectator in its own story. Under Wren Baker’s leadership, the Mountaineers are not merely adapting—they are preparing to thrive.
