Full Breakdown
Federal Judge Dismisses Riley Gaines’ Title IX Lawsuit Against the NCAA
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Dismission of the Lawsuit
U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson of the Northern District of Georgia granted summary judgment to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), ruling that the organization does not receive federal financial assistance and therefore is not subject to Title IX. The plaintiffs—Riley Gaines and more than a dozen current and former female college athletes—have 30 days to file a notice of appeal with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Background & Context
The suit arose from the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia Tech, where transgender swimmer Lia Thomas won the 500-yard freestyle and shared a locker room with female competitors. Gaines, then representing the University of Kentucky, tied Thomas for fifth in the 200-yard freestyle. Plaintiffs argued that NCAA policies allowed “biological males” to compete in women’s events and use women’s locker rooms, violating Title IX.
In February 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to enforce Title IX based on biological sex. The NCAA subsequently revised its participation rules, limiting competition on women’s teams to athletes assigned female at birth while permitting practice with women’s teams and related benefits.
Data & Statistics
- Plaintiffs: Riley Gaines plus more than a dozen current and former female athletes.
- Sports represented include swimming (Kylee Alons, Reka Gyorgy, Kaitlynn Wheeler, Grace Countie, Lily Mullens) and volleyball (Brooke Slusser).
- The NCAA governs over 1,100 member colleges, the majority of which receive federal education funding.
Official Statements & Responses
- Riley Gaines issued a statement asserting that the setback will not deter her or other women athletes and that she will appeal.
- The NCAA emphasized its compliance with the Trump administration’s executive order on women’s sports and its ongoing investment in women’s athletics.
- Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), which funded the suit, called the ruling a failure to protect women’s rights in sports and pledged support for the appeal.
Criticism & Opposition
ICONS co-founder Kim Jones argued that the judge erred and predicted the appellate court will find the NCAA subject to Title IX because most member schools are federally funded. Co-founder Marshi Smith warned that granting the NCAA additional authority would further harm women’s sports and urged Congress to oppose related legislation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Here, there is no evidence that the NCAA ever received, or could have received, federal funds. Thus, Plaintiffs’ Title IX claims cannot proceed,” — Tiffany R. Johnson
- “This momentary setback will not deter me or other women athletes in the least,” — Riley Gaines
- “We will not give up our fight for women and girls’ rights in sports,” — Kim Jones
What’s Next
The plaintiffs must file a notice of appeal within 30 days. The 11th Circuit will then review whether the NCAA’s collaboration with the Department of Defense on concussion research creates a sufficient nexus to federal funding for Title IX purposes. The appellate decision could clarify the scope of Title IX liability for national governing bodies of collegiate athletics.
