SDSU Settlement Marks First Class-Wide Damages Award for Title IX Athletic Aid Claims

Fifteen former women’s student-athletes at San Diego State University have reached a settlement with the school in a Title IX class action lawsuit alleging sex-based discrimination in athletics. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say it is the first agreement of its kind to include class-wide monetary damages for unequal athletic financial aid.

U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson of the Southern District of California approved the settlement, which requires the university to pay $300,000 in damages to the affected athletes and implement a series of reforms to bring its athletic programs into compliance with federal law.

The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that the university violated Title IX by failing to provide equal athletic financial aid, treatment and benefits to female student-athletes, including members of the women’s rowing and track and field teams. Plaintiffs also claimed the school failed to provide equitable opportunities to participate in varsity athletics.

Among the attorneys representing the plaintiffs were Lori Bullock of Bullock Law PLLC and Arthur Bryant of Arthur Bryant Law.

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