Grant House no longer feels like an outcast after settlement in NIL lawsuit vs NCAA

INDIANAPOLIS — After years of feeling isolated on pool decks, Grant House said competing has become enjoyable again.

>The Bright, Indiana, native spent the past five years at the center of one of college sports' most consequential legal battles, but now says the conversations surrounding him have changed.

>"It's definitely a lot more fun," House said after competing on Friday during the TYR Pro Swim Series at the Indiana University Natatorium.

>"It's a lot more enjoyable to go through and have two-way conversations and not just feel like outcasted or side eyes walking on the deck for like the last five years," he said.

>House served as the lead plaintiff in the House v. NCAA class action lawsuit, which resulted in a $2.8 billion settlement allowing Division I schools to directly share revenue with athletes. As schools adjusted to the changes, including new roster limits that reduced opportunities in sports like swimming, House became the target of criticism.

>Now, just more than a year after the settlement was approved, the former Arizona State swimmer said those conversations have shifted.

>"It definitely feels like a more community sense," House said. "I think a lot of people have kind of understood after some time it wasn't my personal attack on things, but just something I was a part of and wanted to give more opportunities to athletes."

>Instead of reacting to headlines, House said more people have taken the time to understand why he became involved in the lawsuit.

>"They're starting to have better conversations and more educated conversations as well," he said. "Not just reading headlines and understanding House as an actual person."

>That change has made traveling to meets and interacting with fellow swimmers, coaches and reporters feel different than it did during the lawsuit.

>House said one conversation this week especially stood out. A national team teammate spoke with him about the lawsuit, praising House for what he accomplished despite the adversity.

>"'Cause now he can benefit from it," House said. "It's really neat to see that come full circle."

>While the shift didn’t happen overnight, conversations like the one with his teammate have shown him attitudes are beginning to change.

>"It took longer than I expected," House said. "But I guess doing something for the first time ever in the history of the world takes a little bit of time, maybe longer than you think."

>Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter.

>This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: House vs NCAA: Grant House enjoying competing again after NIL lawsuit