Changing the Game: MMHP Helps Secure Pivotal NCAA Reform on Prize Money Rules

By on April 30, 2026 in Sports Law

A major step forward for fairness in college athletics that will impact generations of student-athletes.

Miller Monroe Holton & Plyler is proud to announce a significant milestone in the evolution of college athletics: a settlement agreement with the NCAA that addresses outdated and restrictive prize money rules that have long limited student-athletes.

Representing Reese Brantmeier, Maya Joint, and a broader class of affected tennis players, this case challenged NCAA regulations that failed to reflect the modern realities of collegiate sports. For years, student-athletes competing at the highest levels—particularly in sports like tennis—faced restrictions on the prize money they could retain from tournaments, such as Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the U.S. Open, even when those earnings were the direct result of their own talent and performance.

This litigation helped drive meaningful change. As part of the settlement, the NCAA has agreed to permanently revise its prize money rules across all sports. These changes ensure that future student-athletes will no longer be subject to the same restrictive framework, opening the door to greater fairness and opportunity nationwide. The impact will extend far beyond this case, shaping the experience of student-athletes for years to come.

While the agreement remains subject to final court approval, it is expected to provide long-overdue compensation to a large group of student-athletes who were previously denied the full value of their earnings.

This outcome was made possible by the leadership and determination of Reese and Maya, who stepped forward to challenge entrenched rules and advocate for change—not only for themselves, but for student-athletes across the country. “Reese and Maya deserve a lot credit for taking this case on, doing it for themselves but also for future student-athletes and not just in tennis but for all sports,” said Jason Miller, attorney for the class. “It’s a pretty remarkable accomplishment.”

Attorneys Jason Miller, Rob Rader, William Plyler, and Joel Lulla (of counsel) handled this case for Miller Monroe Holton & Plyler, which was honored to have partnered with Milberg and Bryson Harris Suciu Demay in achieving this result. Together, we are proud to have played a role in advancing fairness, equity, and opportunity in college athletics.

Media Coverage

This case has drawn national attention, with coverage including:

For more information about this case or our work on behalf of student-athletes, please contact Miller Monroe Holton & Plyler at 919-809-7346 or visit our website at https://millermonroelaw.com/practice-areas/sports-law/.

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