Federal judge throws out Riley Gaines' Title IX suit against NCAA

Riley Gaines and more than a dozen current and former female collegiate swimmers sued the NCAA, alleging that its policies permitting biological males to compete in women’s swimming events and use women’s locker rooms breached Title IX. The dispute stemmed from the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships held at Georgia Tech, where Lia Thomas made history as the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I title.

During the meet, Gaines, then representing the University of Kentucky, finished tied for fifth in the 200-yard freestyle and said she was forced to share facilities with Thomas. U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson of the Northern District of Georgia concluded the NCAA is not a recipient of federal funds and therefore not subject to Title IX, granting the NCAA’s motion for summary judgment on the remaining claims. Johnson rejected arguments that the NCAA indirectly receives federal money or benefits from reimbursements. Gaines announced plans to appeal the decision within the 30-day window to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.