An athlete’s ability to be paid directly by his or her university is on track to be enshrined in a rulebook that has forbidden that for decades, though the changes still have to be granted

A federal judge granted preliminary approval of the settlement in October and hinted two weeks ago she seems likely to grant final approval.

With Judge Claudia Wilken’s decision on the landmark House case expected soon, NCAA leaders conditionally approve rule changes to align with the pending settlement.