• Loading stock data...
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

New Lawsuit Could Decide Whether NIL Is Subject To Title IX

  • A lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court over alleged Title IX violations in the University of Oregon athletic department.
  • It alleges NIL education resources, as well as some earnings, are subject to the federal statute.
A lawsuit against the university of Oregon could dictate the future of Title IX and NIL.
Luke Domenick – Oregon Athletics

On Friday, 32 University of Oregon athletes, both at the club and varsity level, filed a Title IX lawsuit against the University of Oregon. 

The lawsuit could provide the first ruling on whether NIL activities — including funding from collectives — are subject to Title IX, the federal statute requiring gender equity in college sports. It’s one of the biggest unanswered questions in the NIL era.

Renowned NIL attorney Arthur Bryant is one of the lawyers representing athletes on the case.

The lawsuit, which focuses on beach volleyball and club women’s rowing, makes several allegations of inequity that relate either directly or indirectly to NIL. 

The complaint alleges that the support athletes receive for NIL activities — like education and help with social media promotion — falls under the requirement that athletic departments provide equitable “publicity” between men’s and women’s athletes. 

But it doesn’t stop there. 

“Oregon provides its male student-athletes with much greater NIL-related training, opportunities, and income than its female student-athletes,” the lawsuit alleged. It included the work and services provided by Oregon’s NIL collective, Division Street, and NIL marketplace Opendorse.

Therefore, the lawsuit appears to categorize not only athletic department NIL education resources, but also NIL earnings made through Division Street and Opendorse, as subject to the federal statute. Opendorse and Division Street are not defendants in the case, however.

“The University believes it complies with Title IX,” the University of Oregon said in part in a statement. Representatives for Division Street and Opendorse did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

White Sox

Pope Confirmed White Sox Fan After False Cubs Claims

Pope Leo XIV’s brother confirmed the pontiff is a White Sox fan.
Feb 13, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville reacts in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

Joel Quenneville Back in NHL After Ban for Blackhawks Scandal

The former Chicago coach was banned from the NHL until last year.
Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon Could Have to Turn Over Hush Money Documents in Court

Suing shareholders want to know his “state of mind” during UFC merger.

Featured Today

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 6, 2025

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
May 6, 2025

Big 12 Re-Ups With Brett Yormark As Chaos Reshapes College Sports

Yormark is unafraid to lean in to the professionalization of college sports.
Football
May 7, 2025

Big Ten Beating SEC in Race to $1 Billion in Revenue

The Big Ten is winning the revenue battle, reporting $928 million in 2023–24.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
NCAA Football: Oregon State at California
April 29, 2025

Pac-12 Gets One-Year Test-Run Media Deal Before Expansion

It’s the next step in the league’s rebuild.
Shaquille O'Neal
April 28, 2025

Shaq Taking GM Role at Sacramento State

The news comes amid the school’s push for FBS status.
April 28, 2025

Quinn Ewers Bet on NFL Over NIL—and Left Millions on the Table

The Dolphins picked Ewers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
April 25, 2025

College Sports Has Become a Billion-Dollar Business. Kentucky Is Embracing It

Kentucky said its LLC would operate similarly to two hospitals run by the university.