Seven NCAA schools failed to meet the court’s deadline to turn over their athlete contact information. The student-athletes that comprise of the 4.4 million member class want the schools to be forced to explain why they missed the deadline. The student information is needed for the proposed concussion settlement process. On June 6, 2017, Judge John Lee extended the opt out or objection date for the NCAA concussion settlement. This settlement has been in the works for some time, but without the cooperation of many colleges.
Last month, Judge Lee issued a warning to about two dozen schools that failed to comply. The warning fall on deaf ears at the following schools: Lane College, Lemoyne-Owen College, Saint Augustine’s University, South University, Baton Rouge, The College of New Rochelle, the University of Puerto Rico, Rico Piedras and the University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon. The information was originally requested in September by the NCAA. Out of the proposed $75 million settlement fund, Judge Lee allowed $131,000 of it to reimburse the NCAA for the fees associated with subpoenas.
It is unclear what punishment the schools could face. Last month, when Judge Lee issued his warning, he mentioned he might order the school presidents to appear in court.
Students have until August 4, 2017 to object or opt out of the settlement. The settlement Fairness Hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2017. Contacting the athletes of the settlement is important in keeping with this schedule and concluding this multidistrict litigation which was consolidated in 2013.