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Iowa Football Discrimination Lawsuit Settled for $4M: Auditor Calls for Accountability



In a recent development, the Iowa state appeals board has given the nod to a settlement exceeding $4 million in a lawsuit brought forth by former Iowa football players who alleged racial discrimination within Coach Kirk Ferentz's program. State Auditor Rob Sand, disclosing the proposal, voiced his opposition to using taxpayer money for the settlement unless university athletic director Gary Barta is terminated.

Despite Sand's objection, the three-member State Appeal Board voted 2-1 to approve the use of $2 million in state funds for the settlement. The disagreement hinges on the personal accountability of Barta, with Sand asserting that accountability is essential to prevent discrimination in the future.

The settlement follows a lawsuit initiated in 2020 by Tulsa-based attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons on behalf of approximately a dozen Black former players. The proposal allocates $2.85 million among 12 players, with $1.9 million slated for Solomon-Simmons Law for fees and expenses.

The aftermath of the settlement has prompted discussions about accountability within the university's athletic department. Sand, in a letter to the Iowa State Appeal Board, cited four discrimination cases totaling nearly $7 million in damages during Barta's tenure. The largest of these cases, a $6.5 million settlement in 2017, was related to the firing of former field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum.

Despite recent dismissals of key figures from the lawsuit, including Coach Ferentz and athletic director Barta, discussions around accountability persist. The settlement requires the university to implement a five-year diversity, equity, and inclusion plan overseen by University of Texas Black studies professor Leonard Moore.

This development underscores the ongoing challenges of discrimination within collegiate sports programs, sparking conversations about accountability, transparency, and the need for comprehensive measures to address such issues.

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