A major legal battle in college athletics just reached a turning point. The NCAA has agreed to pay $303 million to nearly 7,700 former volunteer coaches after a class-action lawsuit claimed the organization illegally fixed wages and prevented programs from paying certain coaching positions.
This settlement is one of the largest remaining antitrust cases against the NCAA and marks another major shift in how college sports operate in the post–House Settlement era.
Why Volunteer Coaches Sued the NCAA
From 1992 to July 2023, NCAA Division I programs were required to follow a rule that capped the number of paid coaches on each team.
Most sports were allowed one “volunteer coach,” a full-time role that:
• Could not be paid
• Could not receive benefits (meals, medical support, apparel, etc.)
• Still required full coaching responsibilities
Many of these coaches worked 30 to 40 hours per week, ran practices, assisted with recruiting, and even handled team logistics, all while receiving nothing beyond occasional camp income.
The lawsuit argued this system was a form of illegal wage-fixing, suppressing the labor market and violating antitrust laws.
One former Division I softball coach described being told not to take a Chick-fil-A sandwich at a team meal because compliance staff were nearby. Another said working unpaid for years caused long-term financial strain.
What the Settlement Means
Under the proposed settlement:
• Each coach will receive an average of $39,200
• Some will receive six-figure payments
• Payments will be funded by Division I schools and the NCAA
• Payouts likely won’t begin until after summer 2026
The case covers volunteer coaches in every Division I sport except baseball, which settled a similar case last year for $49.25 million.
Importantly, this settlement does not impact current coaching structures, the NCAA eliminated the volunteer-coach rule in 2023, finally allowing all Division I programs to pay previously unpaid staff.
Why This Matters for College Sports
This case is part of a wider pattern:
Courts are increasingly rejecting NCAA rules that limit compensation for athletes, coaches, or staff.
In the last few years alone, the NCAA has faced:
• The $2.8 billion NIL settlement
• Multiple Title IX lawsuits forcing reinstatement of women’s sports
• Antitrust challenges to transfer and scholarship restrictions
The volunteer-coach settlement closes another chapter in the old amateurism model, signaling that compensation limits — whether for players or staff — will continue to face legal pressure.
What Happens Next
The settlement still needs final court approval, and payments won’t begin until late 2026.
But the message is clear:
If a role functions like a full-time job, courts expect it to be compensated like one.
For thousands of former coaches who spent years working for nothing, this ruling brings long-awaited recognition, and long-overdue compensation.
