Riley Gaines Vows to Appeal Trans Athlete Lawsuit After Judge Dismisses Case
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines plans to take her legal challenge against the NCAA's transgender participation policies to the Supreme Court following a federal judge's ruling that the organization is not subject to Title IX.
Defiant after a federal judge dismissed her lawsuit challenging the NCAA's policies on transgender athletes, Riley Gaines has vowed to continue her fight to the Supreme Court, citing powerful backing for the legal battle.
In a ruling on Monday, U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson concluded that the NCAA does not fall under the purview of Title IX regulations. The judge determined that the NCAA does not qualify as a recipient of federal financial assistance, a key factor in applying Title IX protections.
Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has become a prominent advocate against transgender participation in women's sports, sued alongside 15 other female athletes. Their legal challenge centered on the NCAA's policies that allowed transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in the 2022 women's national championships. Thomas tied with Gaines for fifth place in the 200-meter freestyle finals that year.
Despite the setback in court, Gaines expressed her determination to appeal the decision. She indicated plans to seek recourse at the Supreme Court, suggesting she has secured significant support for the ongoing legal effort. The NCAA did adjust its participation policy in 2025 to restrict women's competitions to athletes assigned female at birth, but Gaines has maintained that the fight for what she considers fair competition for female athletes must continue.
Gaines has called on public figures, including Elon Musk, to contribute to the funding of the legal battle through organizations like ICONS, which supports the athletes' ongoing efforts. She stated that fighting for the next generation of girls, including her own daughter, motivates her persistence in this cause.
