Reese Brantmeier et al v. National Collegiate Athletic Association

https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/north-carolina/ncmdce/1:2024cv00238/98106/99/0.pdf?ts=1753793663

Attorneys from Bryson and Milberg were successful in securing class certification for a case that could impact thousands of student-athletes. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has rules about how much prize money tennis players may earn prior to enrolling in NCAA Division 1 tennis, or while they are playing NCAA Division 1 tennis. Reese Brantmeier and Maya Joint wanted to play NCAA Division 1 tennis and had to forfeit thousands of dollars in prize money they earned. They feel the prize money rules violate section 1 of the Sherman Act and could impact thousands of tennis players.

The Court agreed the claim was sufficient to certify the class.

About The Case

NCAA rules allow Division I tennis players to compete in third-party competitions, but the rules severely limit the amount of prize money the athletes can accept for
their performance in those competitions without losing their college eligibility. The plaintiffs say the rules are unreasonable for current and prospective student-
athletes competing in men’s and women’s tennis. They key question is if the prize money rules violate the Sherman Act. To answer that question, the plaintiffs will need to address whether the NCAA has monopsony power, whether relevant markets exist and what they are, whether the Prize Money Rules are restrictions on trade, and whether the rules harm competition.

Class Certification

The Court certified both classes because:

• Ms. Brantmeier and Ms. Joint are members of the proposed classes, and have met the threshold requirements.
• Both classes are sufficiently numerous, and there are common questions to be investigated.
• The plaintiffs’ claims are typical of those of the class members.
• Counsel has extensive experience in antitrust and class action litigation and are adequate representatives.

Potential Class Members

Not all class members have to suffered at the same level in order to seek relief.
Members of the class can be identified by:

• If you played NCAA Division 1 tennis or were ineligible to compete in NCAA Division 1 tennis due to prize money rules from March 19, 2020 to July 28, 2025.
• If you forfeited prize money earned in a tennis tournament and have competed in NCAA Division 1 tennis or submitted information to the NCAA
  Eligibility Center.

Does this class action apply to you?

Approximately 12,000 students have competed in NCAA Division 1 tennis since March 19, 2020. If this case applies to you, please contact lead attorney, Dan Bryson, to register as a member of this class.