Boston Sports Club $3.9M COVID Membership Charges Settlement

Massachusetts Boston Sports Club members whom the company charged for gym services when it closed facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to claim a refund from a settlement.

Town Sports International LLC, operating as Boston Sports Club, agreed to pay $3.9 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging the company and its former CEO, Patrick Walsh, unfairly charged members for gym services in April 2020 when it closed all locations due to the pandemic. The lawsuit also claims BSC made it difficult for members to cancel their memberships and failed to honor cancellation requests. The Massachusetts attorney general’s office initiated the case and, after a court trial, secured full refunds for affected members.

Who can file a claim?

Individuals are considered class members if:

• They were Boston Sports Club members in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• BSC charged them for membership in April 2020 when it closed all locations.
• They did not already receive a refund or credit for the April 2020 charges.

The attorney general and court identified approximately 47,000 consumers who fit these criteria. The settlement administrator used BSC’s transaction data to determine eligibility and refund amounts.

Additional details:

• The class includes members who attempted to cancel their memberships during the closure but whom BSC still billed.
• Individuals who received an email from the refund administrator with a claim number and PIN are part of the class.
• If a member did not receive an email but believes they qualify, they should contact the administrator for assistance.

How much can class members get?

The total settlement fund is $3.9 million. Each eligible class member will receive a refund for the amount BSC unfairly charged them in April 2020 minus any previous refunds or credits the company provided.

The administrator will base refunds on individual billing and refund history. There is no set minimum or maximum refund amount.

How to claim a class action rebate

Class members must take action to claim their refund. The process is as follows:

• Eligible class members will receive an email from bostonsportsclubrefund@refundadministrator.com with a claim number and PIN.
• To claim a refund, class members must visit the online claim form, log in with their claim number and PIN, and select their preferred payment method. They do not need to provide additional documentation or proof to receive their refund.
• Class members should submit claims within 90 days of receiving the email notification or by June 167, 2026.

To submit a claim by mail, members can send inquiries or requests to Boston Sports Club Refund Administrator, c/o Analytics LLC, PO Box 2011, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2011.

Payout options

• Zelle electronic payment
• Paper check mailed to the address on file

$3.9 million settlement fund

The settlement administrator will use the $3,900,000 settlement fund to pay eligible class members and cover administration costs and any other court-approved expenses.

There is no indication that the settlement is subject to proration as the fund is intended to provide full refunds to all eligible members.

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: June 16, 2026

When is the Boston Sports Club settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments in multiple waves. Most eligible class members should receive their payment within a few weeks of submitting their claim.

Why is there a settlement?

The Massachusetts attorney general’s office filed a lawsuit against Boston Sports Club and its former CEO, Patrick Walsh. The court found BSC unfairly charged members for services in April 2020 when it closed all gyms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the court determined BSC made it difficult for members to cancel their memberships and failed to honor cancellation requests, violating consumer protection laws and the Health Club Act.

The attorney general said it received more than 2,000 complaints from members who attempted to cancel their contracts but received charges.

Sources

1. Massachusetts attorney general’s office press release
2. Boston Sports Club settlement website FAQ