• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot
Law

Vox Media Agrees to $4 Million Settlement with SB Nation Workers

  • Settlement covers more than 460 current and former site managers and contributors.
  • Vox Media doesn’t admit wrongdoing in proposed settlement that covers three lawsuits.
An array of gavels are pictured.
Sam Upshaw/Imagn Content Services

Vox Media agreed to a $4 million settlement over allegations it violated labor laws by underpaying SB Nation managers and content creators, according to court papers filed in a Washington D.C. federal court on Aug. 17.

The proposed agreement that needs approval by a judge covers three lawsuits brought by more than 460 current and former SB Nation site managers and contributors. SB Nation, Vox Media’s sports brand with more than 300 blogs, has been dogged by allegations its compensation methods violated federal and state employment law.

Lawyers across the three lawsuits will receive $1.3 million in the proposed settlement. Add in court costs and administrative costs, and that leaves $2.5 million that will be split up by the class members.

Site managers will get a median payout of between about $5,000 and $7,500. Contributors are slated to receive between about $2,100 to $2,500. The payouts will vary depending on the amount worked and where the workers lived — with class members in California and New Jersey receiving more over alleged violations of state law.

As part of the proposed deal, Vox Media will be released from claims it violated state and federal labor laws.

It’s a fraction of what lawyers who filed the lawsuits claim Vox Media was allegedly liable to pay out.

“In total, Plaintiffs estimate that Defendants’ total exposure would be, on the high end, approximately $14,317,711,” attorney James E. Goodley wrote in a filing. “More realistically, taking into consideration the litigation risks, Defendant’s defenses, and room for the courts’ discretion to decrease civil penalties … approximately $7,733,261. The total settlement of $4,000,000 represents about 28% of the maximum exposure and about 52% of the realistic damages for the three cases.”

The settlement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by Vox Media.

“Vox Media denies engaging in any unlawful conduct alleged in these three cases and continues to deny the claims and charges of wrongdoing and liability,” the settlement agreement states. “In addition, no court has determined that Vox Media is liable or that it otherwise engaged in any wrongdoing.”

An attorney who represented the current and former SB Nation workers declined to comment. A spokesperson for Vox Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

SB Nation, like other Vox Media properties, has seen layoffs and furloughs in recent months. Spencer Hall, one of SB Nation’s most prominent figures, took a buyout in June

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Troy Taylor

Ex-Stanford Coach Troy Taylor Sues ESPN for Defamation

Taylor was fired after a pair of 3–9 seasons.

Comcast Bets Big on Sports, but NBA Price Tag Looms Large

The NBC Sports parent company is absorbing the impacts of adding the NBA.
opinion

Could Chad Ochocinco Be ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe Replacement?

ESPN moved on from Sharpe after he settled a sexual assault lawsuit.
Mike Repole

Billionaire Mike Repole Taking Ownership Stake in UFL

Repole is the cofounder of Vitaminwater and Body Armor. 

Featured Today

Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
Feb 20, 2011; Calgary, AB, Canada; Canadian hockey fans wave a flag and display a banner before the Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium. The Flames beat the Canadiens 4-0

Where Does Hockey Go After the Hockey Canada Verdict?

After the sexual assault trial, hockey is split over the path forward.
Marcus Morris
July 30, 2025

Marcus Morris Denies Fraud, Blames Mixup for $260K Casino Debt Arrest

Morris made roughly $107 million across 13 NBA seasons.
Gilbert Arenas
July 31, 2025

Gilbert Arenas Charged With Running Illegal Poker Operation With ‘Organized Crime Figure’

The former NBA player allegedly ran a poker club from his house.
Sponsored

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

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles as New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) is screened by Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.
July 30, 2025

Tensions Rise After Suns Fire Ex–Security Director

Phoenix faces a slew of lawsuits from former employees.
Jul 22, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (not in uniform) celebrates from the bench in the first quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.
July 29, 2025

Man Who Stalked Clark Gets 2 Years in Prison

He sent more than 800 messages and visited Indianapolis to see Clark.
Katinka Hosszu
July 25, 2025

Swimmers Settle Bulk of Suit Against World Aquatics Over New League

The sides reached a deal earlier this summer.
Hockey Canada
July 24, 2025

Judge Finds All Five Former Hockey Canada Players Not Guilty of Sexual..

The judge said she did not find the accuser’s testimony “credible or reliable.”