U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken has released details on the final approval hearing in the House v. NCAA settlement, which is scheduled for April 7.
Wilken issued an order listing out the objectors who will speak at the hearing, which is limited to 14 due to time constraints.
The list of objectors includes seven lawyers, led off by Steven Molo of MoloLamken LLP, a law firm that was helping student-athletes file their objections against the settlement.
It also includes LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, who penned a letter objecting to the settlement in February, and Michelle Roberts, the former executive director of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
The most notable objector, as mentioned by attorney Mit Winter, is the United States, as the Department of Justice (DOJ) has publically raised concerns about the settlement recently.
Full List of Objectors:
- Objectors represented by Steven Molo of MoloLamken LLP.
- Objector represented by Stephen Tillery of Korein Tillery LLC.
- Objectors represented by Michael P. Lehmann of Hausfeld LLP.
- Objector represented by Laura Reathaford of Lathrop GPM.
- Objectors represented by Patrick A. Bradford of Bradford Edwards LLP.
- Objectors represented by Alex R. Straus of Milberg LLP.
- Objector represented by Caroline G. McGlamry of Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood PC.
- Objectors represented by Leigh Ernst Friestedt.
- Objectors represented by Michelle Roberts.
- Objector the United States.
- Objector Gannon Flynn.
- Objector Gracelyn Laudermilch.
- Objector Benjamin Burr-Kirven.
- Objector Olivia Dunne.
Wilken reminded objectors that she can’t change the terms of the settlement during the final hearing.
Objectors simply have to address if they wish the court to reject the settlement and set the case for trial, not call on Wilken to make a few tweaks to the terms.
This is believed to be targeted toward those who have called on Wilken to change the pending roster limit rules.
There’s also a note likely targeted towards those who have called on Wilken to push the NCAA to make changes to their roster limit implementations. pic.twitter.com/jgmJAzMMFd
— Sam C. Ehrlich (@samcehrlich) March 5, 2025
You can find the full order issued by Wilken here.
The pending settlement and its ramifications, specifically roster limits, have resulted in a significant number of cuts to swimming & diving teams in recent days with the transfer portal opening next week.
The settlement was also specifically mentioned as a reason behind financial issues leading Cal Poly to cut its swimming and diving programs on Friday.
