A federal court authorized this notice. It is not a solicitation from a lawyer.
If you are or may become a member of an NCAA Division I men’s or women’s tennis team, or if you are ineligible to compete in NCAA Division I because you accepted Prize Money that you won in a professional or non-NCAA tennis tournament, or if you forfeited prize money that you earned in professional or non-NCAA tennis tournaments while you were eligible, or hoped to become eligible, to compete in NCAA Division I tennis, your rights may be affected by a class action lawsuit.
A class action lawsuit has been filed against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”). The lawsuit claims certain NCAA rules that restrict the athletics eligibility of individuals who have accepted prize money greater than certain specified amounts from competing in Division I tennis (the “Prize Money Rules”) violate the antitrust laws of the United States.
Below you can find more detailed information regarding the class claims, issues and defenses in this litigation, as well as important dates including a deadline to opt out of the damages class by February 5, 2026.
The Court certified two Classes: An Injunctive Relief Class consisting of all persons who, at any time between March 19, 2020 and the date of judgment in this action, (i) competed in NCAA Division 1 Tennis, or (ii) were ineligible to compete in NCAA Division I Tennis due to the Prize Money Rules; and A Damages Class consisting of all persons who, at any time between March 19, 2020 and the date of initial distribution of this Notice, voluntarily forfeited Prize Money earned in a tennis tournament, and (i) competed in NCAA Division I Tennis or (ii) submitted information to the NCAA Eligibility Center. You may be a Member of both Classes.
DO NOTHING If you are a member of the Damages Class and do nothing, you are choosing to stay in the lawsuit. You may be eligible to share in any money that may be obtained through continued litigation or settlement. You will be bound by past and any future court rulings on, or settlement of, the claims against NCAA in this matter, and you will not be able to pursue your own claims against them in a separate action. If you are a member of the Injunctive Relief Class, no action is required. EXCLUDE YOURSELF If you are a member of the Damages Class and exclude yourself from the lawsuit (i.e. opt out), you will not be able to share in any money that may be obtained in this case through continued litigation or settlement. You will not be bound by any past or future rulings against NCAA. You may pursue your own claims against NCAA at your own cost, if you choose to do so. You may not exclude yourself from the Injunctive Relief Class. These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained in this notice. Your legal rights may be affected whether you act or not. Please read this entire notice carefully.
Basic Information 1. Why did I receive this Notice? 2. What is a class action? 3. Why is this lawsuit a class action? The Claims in the Lawsuit 4. What is the lawsuit about? 5. Has the Court decided who is right? 6. Who is bringing this case on behalf of the Classes? 7. What are the Class Representatives asking for on behalf of the Classes? Who is Included? 8. How do I know if I am included in the lawsuit? 9. What Does it Mean to Have Forfeited Prize Money? Your Rights and Options 10. What are my options? 11. What happens if I do nothing? 12. What happens if I ask to be excluded? 13. How do I opt-out? 14. Does it matter if I am a class member in In Re: College Athlete NIL Litigation? The Lawyers Representing You 15. Do I have a lawyer in the case? 16. Should I get my own lawyer? 17. How will the lawyers be paid? The Trial 18. How and when will the Court decide who is right? 19. Do I have to come to the trial? 20. Will I get money after the trial? 21. Is There a Claim Form? Getting More Information 22. How do I get more information?
1. Why did I receive this notice?
This notice was issued because the Court decided this lawsuit may proceed as a class action on behalf of the Injunctive Relief Class and the Damages Class. This notice explains the lawsuit, who is included, and your legal rights and options.
Senior Judge Catherine C. Eagles of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina is overseeing this lawsuit. The case is titled Brantmeier v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, No. 1:24-cv-00238. The people who initiated this case, Reese Brantmeier and Maya Joint, are called the Plaintiffs. The NCAA is the Defendant.
You were sent this Notice because NCAA records indicate that you may be a member of one or both Classes. If you fall within the definition of either Class, you have a right to know about the case.
2. What is a class action?
In a class action, one or more people called Class Representatives (in this case, Reese Brantmeier and Maya Joint) sue on behalf of people who have similar claims. Together, the Class Representatives and the people represented by them are called Class members. In this case, there are two Classes: one seeking money damages, and the other seeking changes to the NCAA’s rules regarding accepting prize money. One court resolves the claims of all members of both classes, except for those who exclude themselves from the litigation.
3. Why is this lawsuit a class action?
The Court decided that this lawsuit can be a class action because both Classes meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a), the Injunctive Relief claims meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(2), and the Damages claims meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3). Specifically, the Court found that:
* Both Classes have a sufficient number of members that the case can proceed as a class action;
* There are some common questions of law and fact that are common to the claims of all members in each Class;
* The Class Representatives’ claims are typical of the claims for the rest of each Class;
* The Class Representatives and the lawyers representing the Classes will adequately represent the interests of each Class;
* The NCAA acted in a manner that applies generally to all members of the Injunctive Relief Class;
* Common issues will predominate over individual issues at trial for members of the Damages Class; and
* A Class Action is an effective means to resolve the claims of the members of the Damages Class.
4. What is the Case about?
Plaintiffs claim that the NCAA’s rules that limit the amount of Prize Money that current or prospective NCAA Division I tennis players may accept without losing their NCAA athletics eligibility violate the antitrust laws of the United States.
The NCAA denies that the challenged rules violate any antitrust laws and denies that this case is properly brought as a class action. The NCAA also denies that all members of the Classes were injured by the challenged rules.
A copy of the First Amended Class Action Complaint, NCAA’s Answer to the Complaint, and the Court’s ruling granting class certification are available on the Court Documents page of this website.
5. Has the Court decided who is right?
No, the Court has not decided whether the Class Representatives or the NCAA are correct. By establishing the Classes and issuing this Notice, the Court is not suggesting that the Class Representatives will win or lose the case—only that the case may proceed as a class action. The Class Representatives must prove their claims at a trial.
6. Who is bringing the lawsuit?
Two Class Representatives brought this lawsuit:
- Reese Brantmeier, a current college tennis player, forfeited a portion of her Prize Money prior to and while enrolled in college.
- Maya Joint, a professional tennis player, forfeited a portion of her Prize Money prior to and while enrolled in college.
The Court has certified these individuals to represent all members of both Classes.
7. What are the Class Representatives asking for on behalf of the Classes?
The Injunctive Relief Class seeks a court ruling that would prevent the NCAA from declaring individuals who have accepted Prize Money from non-NCAA tennis tournaments, either before or during college, ineligible to compete for a NCAA Division I tennis team.
The Damages Class seeks monetary recovery for each Damages Class Member who voluntarily forfeited Prize Money while seeking to establish or maintain his or her eligibility to compete in Division I tennis.
There is no money available now and no guarantee there ever will be.
8. How do I know if I am included in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit includes two groups or “Classes” of athletes, which are defined above.
9. What does it mean to Have Forfeited Prize Money?
The Damages Class is limited to individuals who have forfeited Prize Money. Prize Money, as defined in NCAA bylaws, means money that is offered by the sponsors of an athletic event to participants in that event, where the amount of money offered depends on the performance or results during that event.
You have forfeited Prize Money if you earned a specified amount of money based on your performance in a tournament, and either: (1) declined to accept part or all of the money, or (2) accepted Prize Money and were subsequently required by the NCAA to donate a portion of the Prize Money to a charitable institution as a condition of receiving or maintaining certification of eligibility to compete in NCAA Division I, and you complied with that requirement.
If you are a member of the Damages Class, please retain any records that you have of the amounts of Prize Money that you have forfeited.
10. What are my options?
If you are a member of the Injunctive Relief Class:
• You will be bound by the outcome of the litigation. You do not have the ability to opt out of the Injunctive Relief Class.
If you are a member of the Damages Class, you have two options:
• Do nothing, remain in the lawsuit, and await the outcome, or
• Exclude yourself (i.e. opt out) from the lawsuit.
You may be a member of both classes. If you are a member of both classes and you wish to opt out, you may only opt out of the Damages Class.
11. What happens if I do nothing?
If you are a member of the Damages Class and do nothing, you are choosing to remain in the lawsuit and will retain the right to share in any money or benefits that may come from a trial or settlement of this lawsuit. However, you will give up your right to start another lawsuit, continue another lawsuit, or be part of any other lawsuit against the NCAA about the legal issues raised or that could have been raised in this case. All of the Court’s orders in the case will apply to you and legally bind you. You will also be bound by any judgment in the lawsuit.
12. What happens if I ask to be excluded from the Damages Classes?
If you ask to be excluded or “opt-out” of the Damages Class in this lawsuit, you will not receive any money from this lawsuit even if Plaintiffs obtain money or benefits as a result of trial or from any settlement. However, you will not be legally bound by any of the Court’s orders in this class action or any judgment or release entered in this lawsuit. You will keep your right to, at your own expense, start another lawsuit, continue another lawsuit, or be part of another lawsuit against the NCAA in the future about the legal issues in this case. If you exclude yourself so that you can start, or continue, your own lawsuit against the NCAA, you should consider talking to your own lawyer before making that decision, because your claims may be subject to a statute of limitations defense, which means your claims may be subject to expiration.
13. How do I opt out of the Damages Classes?
To exclude yourself you must send a letter to the Notice Administrator stating that you want to be excluded from the Damages Class in Brantmeier v. NCAA, Case No. 1:24-cv-00238. Your letter must include your name, address, telephone number, NCAA ID number (if available) and your signature. You must mail your exclusion request to the Notice Administrator, so it is postmarked by February 5, 2026 to: Brantmeier v. NCAA, c/o RG/2 Claims Administration, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479
14. Does it matter if I am a Class member in In Re: College Athlete NIL Litigation?
No. That case concerned claims against the NCAA regarding compensation for student athletes’ “name, image, and likeness,” while this case concerns claims regarding Prize Money won in non-NCAA tennis tournaments. Whether you completed a claim form, objected to the settlement, or opted out of that case, any of those actions have no effect on your ability to participate in, or opt out from, this case.
15. Do I have a lawyer in the case?
The Court has appointed attorneys from three law firms as Class Counsel for both classes:
Peggy Wedgworth
MILBERG COLEMAN BRYSON
PHILLIPS GROSSMAN, PLLC
405 East 50th Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 594-5300
pwedgworth@milberg.com
Jason Miller
MILLER MONROE HOLTON
& PLYLER, PLLC
1520 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27608
(919) 809-7346
jmiller@millermonroe.com
Daniel Bryson
Lucy Inman
BRYSON, HARRIS, SUCIU
& DEMAY PLLC
900 West Morgan Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
(844) 201-2929
dbryson@brysonpllc.com
linman@brysonpllc.com
These law firms are called Class Counsel and these firms together represent the Damages Class and the Injunctive Relief Class. You can contact lawyers from both firms using the information above.
16. Should I get my own lawyer?
You do not need to hire your own lawyer because Class Counsel are working on your behalf. However, if you wish to do so, you may hire your own lawyer at your own expense who can enter an appearance on your behalf in connection with the Damages Class.
17. How will the lawyers be paid?
If Class Counsel obtains money or benefits for either or both Classes, they will ask the Court to award them reasonable attorneys’ fees, as well as reimbursement of expenses. If the Court grants Class Counsel’s requests, these fees and expenses would either be deducted from any money obtained by the Damages Class, or be paid separately by the NCAA.
18. How and when will the Court decide who is right?
A jury trial in this case has been set to begin on November 2, 2026 at the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. During the trial, a Jury or the Judge will hear all of the evidence to help them reach a decision about whether the Plaintiffs or the NCAA are right about the claims in the lawsuit. The Court may also be presented with motions prior to the trial which could have an impact on the determination of the case.
19. Do I have to come to the trial?
No, you do not need to attend the trial. Class Counsel will present the case for the Plaintiffs, and Counsel for the NCAA will present the defenses. You or your own lawyers are welcome to attend the trial at your own expense.
20. Will I get money after the trial?
If Class Counsel obtains money or benefits as a result of the trial or a settlement, a new Notice will be issued with more information.
21. Is there a Claim Form?
There is no Claim Form in this case at this time. There may be a Claim Form in the future for the Damages Class. If you have forfeited Prize Money earned in a tennis tournament, please maintain all records associated with those forfeitures.
22. How do I get more information?
If you have questions regarding the pending lawsuit, you can call 1-866-742-4955, or write to the Notice Administrator at Brantmeier v. NCAA, c/o RG/2 Claims Administration, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479. All papers filed in this lawsuit are also available via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records System (PACER), at http://www.pacer.gov, and may be reviewed in person, as allowed by the Court, during regular business hours at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, 324 West Market St., Greensboro, North Carolina 27401-22544. Most orders important to the case will also be posted to this website on the Court Documents page.