A federal judge in the Northern District of Georgia dismissed the lawsuit filed by former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) against the NCAA on Monday. Judge Tiffany R. Johnson concluded that the evidence did not show the NCAA as a recipient of federal financial assistance, a prerequisite for liability under Title IX.
Key points of the ruling
Judge Johnson, a Biden‑appointed appointee, granted the NCAA’s motion for summary judgment on the remaining Title IX claims. In her order she noted that while both the NCAA and the Department of Defense contributed money to Indiana University, the Department’s funds were directed to the university and other research participants, not to the NCAA itself. She wrote, “There is no evidence that the NCAA ever received, or could have received, federal funds. Thus, Plaintiffs’ Title IX claims cannot proceed.”
The decision focused solely on whether the NCAA qualifies as a recipient of federal financial assistance. It did not address whether the organization’s former transgender‑athlete policy constituted sex discrimination.
Background of the case
Gaines and more than a dozen current and former female college athletes filed the lawsuit in March 2024, alleging that the NCAA violated their Title IX rights by allowing biological males to compete in women’s events and use women’s locker rooms. The case centered on the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia Tech, where former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship. Gaines tied Thomas for fifth place in the 200‑yard freestyle final and has said she and other female swimmers were required to share a locker room with Thomas.
The complaint named athletes from several sports, including swimmers Kylee Alons, Reka Gyorgy, Kaitlynn Wheeler and Grace Countie, former San Jose State volleyball player Brooke Slusser, and former Roanoke College swimmer Lily Mullens.
Appeal and next steps
Gaines and ICONS have 30 days to file a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. ICONS co‑founder Kim Jones said the organization believes the judge erred and expects the appeals court to find the NCAA covered by Title IX.
“We will not give up our fight for women and girls’ rights in sports,” Jones said. “ICONS will support an appeal by Riley Gaines and the other young women who depended on the NCAA to protect their equal opportunities but were let down by the NCAA.”
Recent NCAA policy changes
In February 2025, following an executive order from President Donald Trump, the NCAA revised its rules to prohibit athletes assigned male at birth from competing on women’s teams. Those athletes may still practice with women’s teams and receive certain practice‑related benefits, but they are barred from official competition.
Legislative context
Earlier this week, the Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act by a 77‑22 vote and sent it to the House. The bipartisan bill, led by Sens. Ted Cruz (R‑Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D‑Washington), would establish national rules governing athlete compensation, transfers and eligibility while providing antitrust protections to the NCAA, conferences and schools. ICONS co‑founder Marshi Smith urged members of Congress to oppose the legislation, arguing that granting the NCAA additional authority could further harm women’s sports.
“The NCAA’s refusal to recognize its responsibility to uphold women’s rights means the NCAA cannot be trusted to regulate anyone’s sports – men’s or women’s,” Smith said.
Response from the NCAA
The NCAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
