A Manhattan federal judge has dismissed a significant class action lawsuit against the NCAA where thousands of former college athletes sought back pay for name, image, and likeness (NIL) usage before 2016. U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled that the antitrust claims were filed beyond the statute of limitations period.

The lawsuit, representing Division 1 NCAA athletes, claimed the association violated antitrust regulations by prohibiting players from profiting from their NIL rights. Judge Engelmayer specifically noted the plaintiffs had delayed filing for over a decade. While the athletes’ legal representatives haven’t provided immediate comment, NCAA officials expressed approval of the ruling and anticipate similar results in related pending cases.

This case is distinct from a separate multibillion-dollar settlement that will provide compensation to athletes who competed after 2016 but excludes those who played earlier.