A PYMNTS Company

NCAA Calls $1.3 Billion Antitrust Lawsuit Speculative

By  |  May 2, 2023

According to Reuters, the NCAA has requested that a US judge prevent student-athletes from pursuing a class action lawsuit to obtain over $1.3 billion for the use of their names and images in televised broadcasts.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    In a recent court filing in California, the NCAA stated that the plaintiffs did not meet certain legal requirements necessary for a class action lawsuit in regard US intercollegiate athletics.

    The NCAA contended that the distribution of damages among the plaintiffs was illegal, as it showed a preference for male athletes over female ones.

    Read more: NCAA May Face Up To $1.4 Billion In Damages Claim In Athlete Suit

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    In a statement, the NCAA said the plaintiffs’ claims for “billions of dollars in damages” do not have “legal or factual support.” The statement also said, “there is no basis for requesting over $1 billion dollars in damages for male student-athletes and just $50 million for women.”

    For a long time, lawyers representing plaintiffs have contested regulations that prevented college athletes from receiving payment. In 2021, the NCAA eased restrictions, allowing players to benefit from their “name, image, and likeness” by making agreements with corporations and other third parties.

    The NCAA is currently involved in a case where they are opposing an order that would compel them to pay athletes from revenue sources, such as television broadcasts. The NCAA’s lawyers argue that seeking damages from broadcasts is “speculative and unsupported.”