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05/12/26 | Firm News
Judge Grants Final Approval to $303 Million Settlement for NCAA "Volunteer" Coaches
Eligible Division I coaches have until June 2, 2026, to submit a claim for significant compensation, with some awards expected to reach six figures.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Judge William B. Shubb today granted final approval to a $303 million settlement resolving Ray et al. v. NCAA, a wage-fixing class action brought on behalf of Division I volunteer coaches against the NCAA. The settlement covers the thousands of coaches who worked for NCAA Division I sports programs (other than baseball) in the position of “volunteer coach” between March 17, 2019, and June 30, 2023.
"We are pleased the Court granted final approval of this landmark settlement, which provides substantial compensation to thousands of NCAA coaches who trained athletes and helped build programs without pay," said co-lead counsel Dennis Stewart of Gustafson Gluek PLLC, Michael Lieberman of Fairmark Partners LLP, and Bob Gralewski of Kirby McInerney LLP. "With the June 2 deadline approaching, we urge every eligible coach to submit a claim and collect the money they earned and deserve to receive."
Class members have until June 2, 2026, to submit a claim. Class counsel has estimated that the average settlement amount will be about $40,000, with many volunteer coaches receiving more than $100,000, depending on their school, sport, and number of years coached. Class members who do not file by June 2 may not be eligible to receive compensation from the settlement.
Eligible coaches can file a claim by visiting ncaavolunteercoachlawsuit.com. There is no fee to file a claim or to seek help from the claims administrator or class counsel.
The Volunteer Coach Rule, which was repealed in 2023, prevented an entire category of coaches from receiving salaries or benefits. A parallel action pertaining only to Division I baseball coaches, Smart v. NCAA, reached a settlement in September 2025.
Class representatives Shannon Ray, Khala Taylor, Peter Robinson, Katherine Sebbane, and Rudolph Barajas “urge all class members to file a claim before June 2 to secure the compensation they rightfully earned through their service to their programs.”
Complete information about the settlement, including the claimant helpline number, is available at ncaavolunteercoachlawsuit.com.
"We are pleased the Court granted final approval of this landmark settlement, which provides substantial compensation to thousands of NCAA coaches who trained athletes and helped build programs without pay," said co-lead counsel Dennis Stewart of Gustafson Gluek PLLC, Michael Lieberman of Fairmark Partners LLP, and Bob Gralewski of Kirby McInerney LLP. "With the June 2 deadline approaching, we urge every eligible coach to submit a claim and collect the money they earned and deserve to receive."
Class members have until June 2, 2026, to submit a claim. Class counsel has estimated that the average settlement amount will be about $40,000, with many volunteer coaches receiving more than $100,000, depending on their school, sport, and number of years coached. Class members who do not file by June 2 may not be eligible to receive compensation from the settlement.
Eligible coaches can file a claim by visiting ncaavolunteercoachlawsuit.com. There is no fee to file a claim or to seek help from the claims administrator or class counsel.
The Volunteer Coach Rule, which was repealed in 2023, prevented an entire category of coaches from receiving salaries or benefits. A parallel action pertaining only to Division I baseball coaches, Smart v. NCAA, reached a settlement in September 2025.
Class representatives Shannon Ray, Khala Taylor, Peter Robinson, Katherine Sebbane, and Rudolph Barajas “urge all class members to file a claim before June 2 to secure the compensation they rightfully earned through their service to their programs.”
Complete information about the settlement, including the claimant helpline number, is available at ncaavolunteercoachlawsuit.com.
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