Christine Brown & Partners Files Amicus Brief Challenging House vs. NCAA Settlement Over Title IX Violations

SHELTON, Conn. (November 7, 2025) – Christine Brown & Partners, together with Professor Michael Leroy and Pamela Seidenman, filed an amicus brief supporting appellants challenging the recently approved House v. NCAA settlement. The $2.8 billion back damages remain frozen in appeals, while the $20.5 million annual revenue-sharing cap is creating uneven policies that leave athletes vulnerable.

The brief argues that the settlement, which allocates 90% of damages to male athletes and only 5% to female athletes, violates Title IX and perpetuates decades of NCAA-driven gender disparities. Key points raised include the exclusion of Title IX expert testimony, erroneous class certification, structural conflicts favoring male athletes, procedural violations, and discriminatory monetary relief.

Empirical data highlights stark inequities: from 1996 to 2025, men’s basketball generated $17.9 billion in media rights, while women’s basketball earned $163 million, despite women’s viewership averaging 59% of men’s. Had compensation been equal, women’s deals would have totaled $4.8 billion – revealing a $4.6 billion shortfall underpinning the settlement’s discriminatory foundation.

“The settlement’s skewed allocation isn’t just unfair, it codifies systemic discrimination against female athletes,” said Christine Brown.

The brief seeks to ensure equitable treatment for all collegiate athletes and holds the NCAA accountable for longstanding gender disparities in sports compensation.

Read the full brief here.