Yes, under certain versions of the proposed revenue-sharing model, Jane Hedengren might not count against the team’s scholarship or roster cap, depending on how the final policies are written.
Here’s how it breaks down:
🏃♀️ Current Model (Pre-Revenue Sharing)
NCAA limits women’s track & field scholarships to 18 for the whole team (that covers indoor, outdoor, and cross country).
These are often split among many athletes (e.g., someone might get a 50% scholarship).
Athletes like Hedengren, who get academic aid (e.g., faculty tuition benefits, academic scholarships), can compete without using athletic aid — they're called "non-counter" athletes if they don't receive any athletic financial assistance.
💸 New/Proposed Revenue-Sharing Model
(Anticipated as part of the House v. NCAA fallout and broader restructuring)
In some proposed frameworks:
Schools will share revenue directly with athletes (like $30K–$100K+ annually, depending on sport and model).
The number of athletes eligible for pay and/or scholarships may be capped (like 85 for football, 15 for basketball, etc.).
Schools might have to designate certain athletes as "countable" toward this cap — athletes who receive NIL support, scholarships, or salary-equivalent aid.
🧩 Where Jane Fits In
If:
Jane receives no athletic scholarship, and
Her tuition is covered by a faculty benefit, and
She doesn’t receive revenue-sharing money (or opts out if that’s allowed),
Then she might:
Not count against the school’s athletic scholarship or revenue-share cap, and
Still compete at the highest level.
This would be incredibly valuable for a program like BYU, allowing them to:
Get a national-caliber athlete,
Keep a scholarship slot open,
And potentially stay under any future roster/payroll caps if they’re enforced.
⚠️ Caveat
The exact rules for revenue-sharing models are not finalized and may vary:
Some models may count anyone on the roster.
Others might use a “benefits received” standard (e.g., anyone getting aid over a threshold).
There may be Title IX implications, affecting how schools distribute resources across men’s and women’s sports.