CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Ivy League will not join the antitrust settlement that will allow schools to pay their players directly, a decision that leaves the conference of eight elite academic institutions clinging to college sports' amateur model even as it is increasingly abandoned by the NCAA's biggest powers.

To maintain its historic athletic traditions, the Ivy League is continuing to forego paying student-athletes for their name, image and likeness.

Ivy League executive director Robin Harris said in an email to players and coaches this week that the conference will maintain its scholarly focus rather than accept the roster and endorsement regulations included in the House settlement.