Title IX Appeal Pauses $2.8B NCAA Athlete Back-Pay Settlement

Eight female college athletes have filed an appeal challenging the NCAA’s $2.8 billion House settlement on the grounds that its back pay distribution violates Title IX by disproportionately favoring male athletes, particularly football and men’s basketball players. While the settlement allows direct revenue sharing with current athletes starting July 1, 2025, the appeal specifically targets the back pay portion meant for former athletes who were unable to earn name, image, and likeness (NIL) money prior to 2021, effectively pausing those payments. The current formula allocates 90% of the back pay to football and men’s basketball players, 5% to women’s basketball, and 5% to all other athletes, which the appellants argue ignores Title IX’s requirement for equitable treatment between male and female athletes. Attorneys representing the athletes contend that the settlement deliberately overlooks Title IX protections, risking irreparable harm to women’s sports by depriving female athletes of an estimated $1.1 billion. Although the federal judge approved the settlement and previously rejected Title IX objections during the case, this appeal highlights ongoing concerns about gender equity in collegiate sports compensation. The NCAA and settlement lawyers have yet to comment on the appeal, which does not affect the future revenue sharing for current athletes but halts the disbursement of the back pay damages while it is reviewed.