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NCAA, UNC’s Reese Brantmeier Agree to Settle Prize-Money Class Action

The parties asked a federal judge for 60 days to finalize terms before submitting the agreement for approval.

Overview

  • The joint motion filed Feb. 25 in the Middle District of North Carolina says the sides reached agreement on material terms fully resolving the case.
  • The lawsuit challenged NCAA limits on outside prize money, citing rules that allow up to $10,000 per year before enrollment and only actual and necessary expenses afterward.
  • Brantmeier alleged she earned about $50,000 at the 2021 U.S. Open but could keep only $10,000 plus expenses under the NCAA rules.
  • The class was certified for Division I tennis players by Judge Catherine Eagles, and former Texas player Maya Joint joined as a named plaintiff after winning $140,000 at the 2024 U.S. Open.
  • Settlement details remain undisclosed, and the development follows other major NCAA resolutions, including the nearly $3 billion House settlement and $353 million in volunteer-coach cases.