• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 26, 2025

Group of Women Athletes Files Appeal of House v. NCAA Settlement Approval

It’s the first appeal of the landmark settlement. In it, athletes argue that the terms violate Title IX, the statute governing gender equity in sports.

Mar 7, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Leilani Kapinus (5) looks to pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

A group of eight women filed an appeal of the House v. NCAA settlement approval on Wednesday, arguing that it violates the Title IX gender equity statute, Front Office Sports has learned. The appeal only challenged the back damages portion of the settlement.

It’s the first appeal of the landmark settlement, which would offer $2.8 billion in back-damages to athletes who couldn’t earn NIL (name, image, and likeness) dollars before 2021, as well as allow schools to share revenue with players for the first time. (The settlement also sets up a new vetting process to ensure NIL deals aren’t pay-for-play, and eliminates scholarship limits and imposes roster limits in their place.)

The settlement was approved Friday night by Judge Claudia Wilken after a monthslong adjudication process that included hundreds of objections—including many related to Title IX, the statute that requires educational institutions to offer equitable opportunities including in sports. 

The law firm Hutchinson Black and Cook, which filed the appeal on behalf of athletes, also filed one of many objections to the settlement during its approval process. But now the firm is making another attempt. The eight athletes are a mix of track, soccer, and volleyball players: Kacie Breeding from Vanderbilt; Lexi Drumm, Emma Appleman, Emmie Wannemacher, Riley Hass, Savannah Baron, and Elizabeth Arnold from the College of Charleston, and Kate Johnson from the University of Virginia.

The group argues that the calculation to distribute the $2.8 billion in damages violates Title IX because female athletes would theoretically receive less money than football and men’s basketball players in damage payments and revenue-sharing. Attorney Ashlyn Hare estimated it “deprives female athletes of $1.1 billion.” In a statement to FOS, Hare said: “Paying out the money as proposed would be a massive error that would cause irreparable harm to women’s sports.” 

“The settlement suggests schools would have paid male athletes over 90% of their revenue over the past six years as though Title IX didn’t apply,” she said. “If Nike wants to do that, that is their choice. If the school, or a conference acting on the school’s behalf tries to do that, they are violating the law. They can either pay the athletes proportionately, or they can return all of their federal funds. But they can’t do both.”

For now, the court will stay the back damages portion of the settlement, delaying the payments until the appeal is resolved, Hare said. The appeal itself will be filed to the Ninth Circuit.

Wilken said previously that objections related to Title IX did not move her. Her reasoning: The House settlement is an antitrust case, not a gender equity case that has to offer damages and other relief based on the money players could’ve earned if the rules were different—even if that “but for” world wasn’t equitable.

Wilken did say in her approval decision, however, that athletes were free to sue on Title IX grounds in the future. 

Outside the settlement, there is no requirement for revenue-sharing payments to be equitable. In the waning days of the Biden administration, the Department of Education released guidance suggesting it would consider revenue-sharing payments to be subject to Title IX; but the agency reversed that guidance under President Trump. At this point, only a federal judge could force President Trump’s Department of Education to change its stance.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Trump Visit Adds Political Theater to Ryder Cup’s Opening Day

President Donald Trump attended the Ryder Cup on Friday afternoon.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.

NBC Warns of YouTube TV Blackout As Big Sporting Events Loom

The Google-owned outlet is in three separate carriage fights.

Featured Today

FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
Cheryl Reeve
September 21, 2025

How Cheryl Reeve Turned the Lynx Into the WNBA Gold Standard

Reeve has Minnesota six wins away from an unprecedented fifth WNBA title.
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 13, 2025.
September 20, 2025

How Schools Are Skirting the New Salary Cap in College Sports

In the House settlement era, schools race to secure deals for players.

CFP Expansion Talks Stall As Consensus Eludes Commissioners

The Power 4 conferences remain at odds on a future tournament structure.
Santa Clara
September 24, 2025

How a G League Player Was Able to Go Back to College..

Thierry Darlan will have two seasons of eligibility at Santa Clara. 
Montana State
exclusive
September 24, 2025

PE Firm Pitches Taking FCS Football Playoff Private

Sequence Equity presented FCS commissioners a plan for a new postseason.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Belichick
September 24, 2025

Lawsuit Alleges UNC Illegally Hired Bill Belichick Behind Closed Doors

The former UNC provost cites three closed sessions related to sports.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates after defeating Georgia State 70-21 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
September 23, 2025

Vanderbilt Keeps Winning While Its Players Sue the NCAA

Diego Pavia and other players challenged NCAA rules in court.
Mike Gundy
September 23, 2025

Oklahoma State Fires Mike Gundy, Eating $15 Million Buyout

The winningest coach in school history has 11 straight FBS losses.
September 23, 2025

ACC Expands to 9 League Games, Requires Extra P4 Matchup

Without all the details finalized, the conference “overwhelmingly” approves the move.