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Individuals who worked as volunteer coaches for an NCAA Division I athletics program in any sport other than baseball between March 17, 2019, and June 30, 2023, may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association agreed to pay $303 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging its rules unlawfully prohibited Division I schools from paying wages, salaries or benefits to volunteer coaches. The lawsuit claimed this restriction violated federal antitrust law.
Who can file a claim?
Class members must meet the following criteria:
- They worked for a Division I NCAA sports program (other than baseball) as a volunteer coach as defined by NCAA bylaws.
- They served in this role at any time between March 17, 2019, and June 30, 2023.
The settlement includes both full-season and partial-season volunteer coaches. Those who worked for multiple schools, sports or time periods can claim each qualifying position.
How much can class members receive?
The settlement administrator will distribute the net settlement fund (after court-approved deductions for attorneys’ fees, expenses, service awards and administration costs) among all class members who submit valid and timely claim forms. The exact amount each class member receives depends on several factors:
- The school, sport and year(s) in which they worked as a volunteer coach
- The number of valid claims submitted
- The wages of the lowest-paid coach on their team during their period of service
Each valid claimant will receive a minimum payment of $5,000 before fees and expenses. The average payment per class member is estimated to be $39,260 before fees and expenses. The actual amount may be higher or lower depending on the above factors.
How to claim an NCAA volunteer coach payment
Class members can file a claim online or download, print and complete a PDF claim form to mail to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is June 2, 2026.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Ray v. NCAA Volunteer Coach Settlement, c/o A.B. Data Ltd., PO Box 173059, Milwaukee, WI 53217
After submitting their claim, class members will receive a confirmation of receipt.
Required proof or documentation
To file an online claim, class members must provide the unique claim ID and identification number from the postcard they received in the mail. The information the settlement administrator obtained from their school will auto-populate. If the information is correct, the class member should complete the remaining information and sign and submit the form. If the information is incorrect and they want to dispute it, they should complete and submit all sections and submit any supporting materials.
Claimants should provide documentation to verify their status as a volunteer coach during the class period. Acceptable documentation includes:
- Official school or athletic department records
- Appointment letters, offer or onboarding emails, or signed volunteer coach agreements
- Team rosters, staff listings or media guides showing their name and role
- Payroll or HR records showing their role
- Signed acknowledgments, background check confirmations or compliance documents
- Emails or correspondence referencing their role
- Letters of recommendation or evaluation referencing their service dates
- School-issued ID cards, facility access passes or parking permits identifying them as a coach or volunteer
- NCAA or conference registration, compliance or certification records
- Team programs, yearbooks, game-day rosters or media articles listing them as a volunteer coach
- Photographs or video evidence showing them in a coaching capacity
- Signed statements from former players, coaches or staff attesting to their role and timeframe
- Sworn declarations or affidavits from corroborating witnesses
Payout options
- Direct deposit (ACH)
- Mailed check to the provided address
$303 million settlement fund breakdown
The $303,000,000 settlement fund covers:
- Settlement administration costs: Amount not specified
- Attorneys' fees: Up to $90,900,000
- Attorneys' expenses: Amount not specified
- Service awards to class representatives: Up to $25,000 each (total $125,000)
- Payments to eligible class members: Remaining balance
Important dates
- Deadline to request exclusion: March 21, 2026
- Fairness hearing: May 11, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim: June 2, 2026
When is the NCAA volunteer coach settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments 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 the NCAA and its member schools unlawfully agreed to prohibit compensation for volunteer coaches in Division I sports (other than baseball), violating federal antitrust law. The plaintiffs claimed this rule suppressed wages and harmed those who served as volunteer coaches.
The NCAA denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation costs and risks.
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