Court Grants Final Approval of $303 Million Settlement in NCAA “Volunteer Coaches” Lawsuit

On May 12, 2026, United States Judge William B. Shubb of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California granted final approval to a $303 million dollar class action settlement in favor of a class of NCAA Division I coaches who worked in a volunteer coach position in a sport other than baseball between March 17, 2019 and June 30, 2023. 

Gustafson Gluek PLLC, along with Kirby McInerney LLP and Fairmark Partners LLP are lead counsel in the case. In his order, Judge Shubb recognized that lead counsel “zealously litigat[ed]” on behalf of the class and noted “the skill and specialization put to use in achieving the exceptional result in this case.”

Class members have until June 2 to submit claims, which they can do at https://ncaavolunteercoachlawsuit.com/. The case is Ray v. NCAA, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, No. 1:23-cv-00425. The Court’s opinion can be found here.