NCAA Offers $70M to Settle Sports Concussion Lawsuits

The National Collegiate Athletic Association would provide $70 million for concussion testing and diagnosis of current and former NCAA athletes as a part of an agreement to settle claims in several head-injury-related lawsuits.

The settlement, which also includes educational initiatives and $5 million in concussion research, would resolve the pending cases, which are now consolidated in federal court in Chicago, according to a statement from the NCAA.

The agreement is subject to approval by Judge John Lee of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Ten lawsuits were filed against the the NCAA accusing the governing body for U.S. college sports of concealing the long- term risks of concussions sustained in student sports.

Similar allegations lodged by professional football players against the NFL resulted in a preliminary settlement worth at least $675 million that includes an uncapped fund to cover retired players’ medical costs from dementia and other neurological disorders tied to repeated concussions. U.S. District Judge Anita Brody has scheduled a Nov. 19 hearing to decide on final approval.