NCAA Reaches $2 Million Deal Over Forfeited Tennis Prize Money

A proposed class action argues that NCAA rules barring student-athletes from keeping prize money won at non-NCAA tennis tournaments violate federal antitrust law by capping what players can earn from their own performance. The NCAA denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to settle rather than face the expense and uncertainty of trial.

The court granted preliminary approval on June 29, 2026, and a Fairness Hearing to consider final approval is scheduled for January 8, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. No payments will go out until final approval is granted and any objections or appeals are resolved.

There are two groups covered by the deal. The "Damages Class" includes anyone who, between March 19, 2020 and November 21, 2025, voluntarily forfeited prize money earned at a tennis tournament, and who also either played NCAA Division I tennis or submitted information to the NCAA Eligibility Center, this group may be eligible for payment. A separate "Injunctive Relief Class" covers those who played NCAA Division I tennis or were kept from playing because of the prize-money restrictions; this group receives rule changes rather than money.

The NCAA will deposit $2 million into a settlement fund, which attorneys' fees and expenses will not reduce since the NCAA is covering those separately. Each approved claimant's payout is calculated proportionally, based on how much prize money they personally forfeited relative to the total forfeited by all approved claimants, so there are no flat payment tiers; those who gave up more money receive a larger share.

Alongside the payments, the NCAA has agreed to revise its rules: starting February 25, 2026, players may accept prize money earned before they first enroll full-time in college. Current college athletes remain subject to the existing restrictions.

To claim a payment, submit a claim form by February 8, 2027 (a deadline the court may extend), including your NCAA ID Number, claims lacking a valid ID number will be rejected. If you don't know your number, the settlement administrator, RG/2 Claims Administration LLC, can look it up for you.

The form requires you to list each tournament where you forfeited prize money separately, noting the date, tournament name, singles or doubles status, currency type, and amount, excluding reimbursed expenses, taxes, stipends, grants, or per diems. You'll also need to attach supporting documentation, such as tournament prize statements, emails or letters about forfeiting the money, bank records, or printouts from sources like the WTA or ATP websites confirming the prize amount.

Claims must be signed under penalty of perjury; if someone signs on your behalf, they may need to show proof of authorization. If any required information is missing, the administrator will notify you and allow 30 days to provide it.

Eligible class members were notified by email, or by postcard if no email was on file. Help with the claims process is available free of charge from the settlement administrator and Class Counsel, so there's no need to pay a third-party claims service.