NCAA $2.02M Tennis Prize Money Class Action Settlement

Athletes who competed in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I tennis, were ineligible to compete due to NCAA prize money rules or who forfeited prize money in a tennis tournament between March 19, 2020, and Nov. 21, 2025, may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

The NCAA agreed to pay $2,020,000 to settle claims its rules unlawfully restricted student athletes’ ability to accept prize money from non-NCAA tennis competitions, which plaintiffs argued violated federal antitrust laws.

Who can file a claim?

There are two groups of eligible class members:

• Damages class: Anyone who, at any time between March 19, 2020, and Nov. 21, 2025, voluntarily forfeited prize money earned in a tennis tournament and either competed in NCAA Division I tennis or submitted information to the NCAA Eligibility Center
• Injunctive relief class: Anyone who, at any time between March 19, 2020, and the date of judgment in this action competed in NCAA Division I tennis or was ineligible to compete in NCAA Division I tennis due to the NCAA's prize money rules

How much can class members get?

• Damages class: The settlement provides a $2.02 million fund for damages class members. Each eligible claimant will receive a pro rata share based on the amount of prize money they forfeited during the class period. The actual amount each person receives depends on the total number of valid claims and the total forfeited prize money the settlement administrator validates.
• Injunctive relief class: There is no monetary award for this class, but the NCAA will change its rules to allow pre-enrollment student athletes to accept prize money from event sponsors.

How to claim a settlement payment

Damages class claimants must submit an online claim form or print and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Brantmeier v. NCAA, c/o RG/2 Claims Administration, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479

The deadline to submit a claim is Feb. 8, 2027.

Required documentation

Damages class claimants must provide documentation supporting their claim of forfeited prize money. Acceptable documents include:

• Tournament prize statements
• Correspondence regarding forfeiture
• Bank records showing prize amount received
• Printouts from WTA, ATP or Grand Slam websites showing prize amount awarded

All class members must submit a valid NCAA ID number.

Payout options

The settlement administrator will provide payment details after it approves claims.

$2.02 million settlement fund breakdown

The $2,020,000 settlement fund includes:

• Settlement administrator's fee: Amount not specified
• Attorneys’ fees: Up to $1,875,000
• Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $425,000
• Service awards to named plaintiffs: $10,000 each ($30,000 total)
• Payments to eligible class members: $2,020,000

Important dates

• Deadline to opt out: Sept. 28, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: Feb. 8, 2027
• Fairness hearing: Jan. 8, 2027

When is the NCAA settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged NCAA rules restricting student athletes from accepting prize money from non-NCAA tennis competitions unlawfully limited compensation for athletic performance, violating federal antitrust laws.

The NCAA denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs, risks and uncertainties of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Claim form
2. Class notice