In a bold move, Riley Cornelio, a former standout pitcher for Texas Christian University, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in a Colorado federal court. Cornelio, who was drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2022, argues that NCAA restrictions on athletic scholarships forced some student-athletes to bear additional educational costs.
Cornelio’s lawsuit, seeking damages related to tuition costs, claims that NCAA regulations capping the number of scholarships in sports like baseball violate antitrust laws. Baseball teams, with rosters of 27 players, are limited to about 11 scholarships. Cornelio contends that without these caps, many athletes could have received full scholarships.
The NCAA, which governs college athletics in the U.S., has not commented on the lawsuit. However, it stated efforts to enhance “core guaranteed benefits” for student-athletes, including health insurance, scholarships, and academic counseling, are ongoing. The lawsuit notes the NCAA’s consideration of rescinding the contested rules.
This case comes amidst broader legal challenges for the NCAA, which recently agreed to a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve multiple class actions from students seeking compensation for their athletic contributions and the commercial use of their names and images. This settlement includes reforms that will permit schools to make direct payments to athletes for the first time.
Cornelio’s legal team, from Korein Tillery, is evaluating whether to oppose preliminary approval of the settlement in a related California case. If granted class-action status, Cornelio’s case could represent over 100 student-athletes from various sports, including baseball, tennis, and gymnastics, who received partial scholarships at Division 1 schools.
The lawsuit is filed under Riley Cornelio v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, No. 1:24-cv-02178.
For plaintiffs: Stephen Tillery and Garrett Broshuis of Korein Tillery For defendant: No appearance yet
