Washington Nationals $3M Discount Ticket Settlement

Washington Nationals fans ages 40 and older who purchased a single-game ticket to a home game in the 2023-2024 season may qualify to receive ticket credits or a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Washington Nationals Baseball Club LLC agreed to pay up to $3 million in ticket credits or $800,000 in cash payments to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging its ticket discount program for younger fans constituted age discrimination.

Who qualifies for a Washington Nationals payout?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

• They purchased at least one single-game ticket to a Washington Nationals home game scheduled for the 2023 or 2024 Major League Baseball regular season.
• They purchased the ticket directly from the Nationals either through the Nationals or MLB.com websites, by phone or at the Nationals’ box office (not from resellers) between March 29, 2023, and March 28, 2024.
• They were 40 years of age or older at the time of the ticket purchase.
• Their ticket was for one of the following eligible seat sections:
• Baseline Box
• Baseline Reserved
• Infield Box
• Corner
• Scoreboard Pavilion
• Upper Gallery

• They did not receive the “millennial” or “young professional” discount.
• They suffered actual damages as a result of not receiving the discount (meaning they paid more than they would have if they had received the discount).

The discount in question offered up to 30% off plus a $5-$15 ticket credit per ticket to fans aged 21-39.

How much is the ticket discount payment?

Class members can choose between two forms of compensation: ticket credit or a cash payment. The settlement fund is structured as follows:

• Ticket credit: The class member will receive the greater of $18 or two times their actual damages for each covered ticket purchase. This is deposited into their MLB.com account and can be used for Nationals home games within 12 months. If all class members claimed this option, the total value distributed would be $3 million.
• Cash payment: The class member will receive 62.2% of their actual damages. If all class members claimed this option, the total value distributed would be $800,000.

The settlement fund is designed so that for every $1 paid in cash, $3.75 is deducted from the ticket credit fund and vice versa. If, after the first round of payments, funds remain, a second distribution may be made on a pro rata basis in the same form (ticket credit or cash) as each class member's first payment.

How to claim a baseball class action rebate

• Known class members: If the Washington Nationals have the class member's age on file and they want ticket credit, they do not need to take any action. The organization will automatically deposit the ticket credit into their MLB.com account if the settlement is approved.
• Those who want a cash payment instead must submit a claim form within 90 days after the final judgment. Class members can file a claim online or download, print, complete and mail the PDF known claim form to the settlement administrator.

• Unknown class members: If the Nationals do not have the class member's age on file, they must file a claim online or download, print, complete and mail the PDF unknown claim form to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Snyder v. Washington Nationals, c/o Analytics Consulting LLC, PO Box 2002, Chanhassen MN 55317-2002.

Required information

• To file an online claim, class members must provide the claim number and PIN located in their emailed or mailed settlement notice.
• Unknown class members must certify their date of birth and ticket purchase to receive either ticket credit or a cash payment.

Payout options

• Ticket credit deposited directly into the class member's MLB.com account and usable for Washington Nationals home games within 12 months
• Paper check

Settlement fund breakdown

The settlement fund includes up to $3 million in ticket credits (if all class members choose ticket credits) and up to $800,000 in cash payments (if all class members choose cash payments).

The Washington Nationals will also pay for:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and costs: $640,000
• Service awards to plaintiffs: $5,000 each

Important dates

• Opt-out deadline: Aug. 7, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Sept. 10, 2025
• Claim Deadline: 90 days after the final judgment

When is the Snyder v. Washington Nationals settlement payout date?

Payments and ticket credits will be distributed approximately 150 days after the final judgement.

Why was there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged the Washington Nationals’ “millennial” and “young professional” ticket discount program, which offered up to 30% off and a $5 to $15 credit per ticket to fans aged 21-39, violated the D.C. Human Rights Act and the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act by discriminating against older fans.

The Nationals deny any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to resolve the dispute and avoid further litigation. The discount program ended on March 28, 2024.

Sources

1. Settlement agreement
2. Settlement FAQ