UNC tennis player criticizes NCAA for inconsistency in allowing some athletes to profit while others cannot

A rising star in the world of collegiate tennis, Reese Brantmeier, a top-ranked player for the UNC-Chapel Hill women’s team, is taking on the NCAA in a federal lawsuit that could shake up the world of college athletics.

Brantmeier, a sophomore at UNC, has filed a class-action suit alleging that she and other athletes like her have been unfairly denied lucrative opportunities under NCAA rules. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, claims that Brantmeier could have earned over $49,000 in prize money from participating in the U.S. Open, but was prohibited from doing so due to NCAA regulations.

The lawsuit argues that while male athletes in big-money sports like football and basketball are able to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), female athletes like Brantmeier are left out in the cold. The suit points out the hypocrisy of the NCAA allowing some athletes to profit while denying others the same opportunities.

Furthermore, the lawsuit takes aim at the NCAA’s focus on revenue generation at the expense of student-athletes’ well-being. The suit highlights the grueling travel schedules imposed on athletes, such as the ACC’s expansion from Massachusetts to California, which requires players to fly coast-to-coast for games.

With the recent changes to NIL rules allowing athletes to profit from their image, the lawsuit argues that the NCAA’s restrictions on compensation for student-athletes are outdated and discriminatory. Brantmeier and her fellow athletes are seeking an end to these rules and a fair playing field for all collegiate athletes.

As the case unfolds in court, all eyes will be on Brantmeier and the NCAA, as this lawsuit has the potential to reshape the landscape of college athletics for years to come.