Championing legal advocacy for women in sports
Our impact
Sports policy experts
ICONS is a network of thousands of Olympians, professional and college athletes, and sports policy experts. We help lawmakers and governing bodies of sport write policies that keep the female category fair and safe.
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state laws protecting women’s sports that our work helped pass
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national, international, and professional governing bodies of sport consulted, resulting in new policies
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proposed federal legislation to protect women’s sports
ICONS works directly with female athletes, lawmakers, and governing bodies to defend the respect and fair treatment of women in sports. The fight against sex-based discrimination must be won in court, and we are proud to help women and girls stand up for their rights – from the rules and laws that govern our access to sport all the way to the rewards and records women earn.
We have helped to organize and submit amicus briefs in ongoing cases to support fair sports for female athletes at all ages and levels. Whether it’s legal counsel, support for a court case, helping to find experts or providing financial aid to defend women against sex-based discrimination, we can use our network to leverage the voices of women. Take a closer look at some of the work we’ve recently done and if you believe in supporting the next generation of girls in sport, please consider supporting our efforts with a donation. We can’t provide these resources without your support.
Our legal work
Lawsuits
Athletes taking the NCAA, the Ivy League and the Mountain West to court, with ICONS behind them.
5 actions
Amicus Briefs
Friend-of-the-court briefs, so judges hear from female athletes before they rule.
15 actions
Demand Letters
Formal notice to sports bodies that their policies harm women and break the law.
3 actions
Title IX Complaints
Complaints asking the government to investigate schools that fail their female athletes.
2 actions
Get Legal Help
Need a lawyer? ICONS can introduce you to attorneys who understand women’s sports.
Highlights
The Supreme Court rules for Idaho and West Virginia
ICONS urged the Court to hear Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J., then filed a brief on the merits. On June 30, 2026, the Court ruled for the states.
Female athletes sue the NCAA
Riley Gaines and other college athletes sued the NCAA in March 2024, with ICONS as the sole funder. The case was dismissed in September 2026, and the athletes are appealing.
Penn swimmers sue the Ivy League
Three former Penn swimmers sued the Ivy League, Harvard, Penn and the NCAA in February 2025, backed by ICONS. Their claims against Penn and the NCAA are paused until the NCAA case is resolved.
Volleyball players sue the Mountain West
A coach and volleyball players from several universities sued the Mountain West Conference and San José State in November 2024. Claims against San José State continue.
Selected legal actions
ICONS has filed and organized dozens of briefs, lawsuits, complaints and formal letters. Here are some of them, newest first.
Jump to: 2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023
2026
October 8, 2026 · U.S. Supreme Court
Pending
Amicus brief supporting a girl wrestler in K.M.K. v. Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
ICONS supported a Washington high school wrestler's emergency request for an injunction while her appeal is pending, after she alleged a male opponent assaulted her during a girls' match. The brief argues that school administrators are responsible under Title IX for protecting female athletes. The application is pending.
“Title IX, which provides the power to protect girls, also requires administrators to exercise that authority.” From the brief, p. 4
Outcome: The application for an injunction pending appeal had been fully briefed by Oct. 15, 2026, and the Supreme Court has not yet ruled on it. Source
September 23, 2026 · U.S. Senate
Kim Jones testifies before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
ICONS co-founder Kim Jones gave written and oral testimony at a full-committee hearing on protecting fairness and safety in women's sports. William Bock III, the attorney who represents ICONS-backed athletes, was also a witness.
2025
December 8, 2025 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Injunction denial affirmed
Amicus brief urging the Eighth Circuit to hear Female Athletes United’s case on its merits
ICONS filed a second brief backing Female Athletes United’s appeal against Minnesota officials and school boards over policies letting male athletes compete in girls’ high school sports, arguing the case should be heard on its merits. The Eighth Circuit decided the appeal on April 15, 2026.
Outcome: The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction on April 15, 2026, holding that FAU had no private right of action under Title IX for its claims; the case goes on in district court. Source
October 13, 2025 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Injunction pending appeal denied
Amicus brief supporting Female Athletes United’s injunction motion
ICONS asked the Eighth Circuit to grant Female Athletes United an injunction pending appeal in its challenge to Minnesota’s policies on male participation in girls’ sports.
“The Title IX athletics regulation was meant to ensure that women have access to the same experience on the athletic field and in the locker room as men.” From the brief, p. 2
Outcome: On Nov. 5, 2025, the Eighth Circuit denied Female Athletes United's motion for an injunction pending appeal and expedited the appeal instead. Source
September 19, 2025 · U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court ruled for states
Supreme Court brief in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J.
ICONS filed a brief supporting Idaho and West Virginia, explaining why women's sports must be separated by sex. The Court heard argument on Jan. 13, 2026, and ruled for the states on June 30, 2026, reversing both lower-court decisions.
“every time a man joins a women’s team he takes a women’s spot on that team.” From the brief, p. 4
Outcome: On June 30, 2026, the Court held 6-3 that Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause allow sports teams separated by biological sex, reversing the Fourth and Ninth Circuits. Source
September 3, 2025 · U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
Under federal investigation
Title IX complaint by Santa Rosa Junior College volleyball players
Three Santa Rosa Junior College volleyball players filed a federal Title IX complaint over the state junior college association's policy letting males who identify as women play on women's teams, citing safety, fairness and retaliation concerns. Santa Rosa Junior College was on the list of 18 Title IX investigations the Office for Civil Rights announced in January 2026.
“they allow men to steal women’s educational opportunities and fail to safeguard women’s rights and opportunities.” From the complaint, p. 20
Outcome: Santa Rosa Junior College says it is cooperating with an Office for Civil Rights Title IX investigation, one of 18 OCR announced on Jan. 14, 2026. No finding has been announced. Source
August 25, 2025 · Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Reasonable cause found
Virginia Attorney General finds Roanoke College discriminated against its women swimmers
The Attorney General’s office found reasonable cause that Roanoke College violated the Virginia Human Rights Act and Title IX by putting a male swimmer on the women’s team and retaliating against the women who objected. ICONS advised the team captains in 2023, and ICONS attorney William Bock III represents the swimmers.
Outcome: Virginia's Attorney General found reasonable cause that Roanoke College violated the Virginia Human Rights Act and Title IX; the next step under state law is conciliation, and I found no public result of it. Source
March 18, 2025 · Lubbock County District Court, Texas
Injunction denied
Athletes from ICONS-backed lawsuits testify in Texas v. NCAA
At a temporary-injunction hearing in Attorney General Ken Paxton's suit against the NCAA, plaintiffs from ICONS-backed lawsuits testified, including Brooke Slusser, Kylee Alons and Kaitlynn Wheeler. ICONS publicly supported the state's request that the NCAA verify the sex of athletes on women's teams.
“The NCAA knows it has betrayed female athletes as well as the public.” From the press release, p. 2
Outcome: Judge Les Hatch of the 237th District Court in Lubbock denied Texas's request for a temporary injunction against the NCAA on March 18, 2025. Source
February 4, 2025 · U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Ivy, Harvard dismissed; rest paused
Penn swimmers sue the Ivy League, Harvard, Penn and the NCAA
Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers sued over Title IX violations during the 2021–22 season, when a male swimmer competed on Penn’s women’s team and used the women’s locker room. In July 2025 the court dismissed the Ivy League and Harvard and paused the claims against Penn and the NCAA until Gaines v. NCAA is resolved. In October 2026 the NCAA asked the court to lift the pause and dismiss.
“Ivy League women swimmers became captive and collateral damage to the Ivy League’s illegal social science experiment.” From the complaint, p. 3
Outcome: The court dismissed the Ivy League (July 21, 2025) and Harvard (July 29, 2025) and stayed the claims against Penn and the NCAA under the first-to-file rule pending Gaines v. NCAA. Source
The lawsuit · Read the complaint (PDF) · Court docket · Press release
2024
December 23, 2024 · U.S. Supreme Court
Ninth Circuit ruling vacated
Amicus brief in Petersen v. Doe (Arizona’s Save Women’s Sports Act)
ICONS asked the Court to hear Arizona legislative leaders’ petition defending the state’s women’s sports law. The brief was submitted late with a request for leave, which the Court denied on June 30, 2026, when it also vacated the Ninth Circuit’s ruling in light of West Virginia v. B.P.J.
“Recognizing biological differences between the sexes and protecting women’s spaces from male intrusion are foundational for women to succeed in sports and in life.” From the brief, p. 3
Outcome: On June 30, 2026, the Court granted the petition, vacated the Ninth Circuit's judgment and sent it back for reconsideration in light of West Virginia v. B.P.J.; the same day it denied ICONS's motion to file its brief late. Source
November 25, 2024 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Injunction denied
Emergency appeal in the Mountain West volleyball case
After the district court denied emergency relief, ICONS-backed players asked the Tenth Circuit to reseed the Mountain West tournament without forfeits and to rule the male player ineligible. The court denied the motion on Nov. 26, 2024.
“An opportunity to compete in a conference championship or qualify for a NCAA national championship, if lost, may never occur again.” From the motion, p. 9
Outcome: On Nov. 26, 2024, the Tenth Circuit denied the emergency motion, finding no clear showing of irreparable harm, while noting the claims 'appear to present a substantial question and may have merit.' Source
November 13, 2024 · U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
Conference dismissed; claims continue
Volleyball players and a coach sue the Mountain West Conference and San José State
A San José State associate head coach and players from several Mountain West schools sued over policies that let a male athlete play women’s volleyball. On March 3, 2026, the court dismissed the conference and the claims against San José State officials personally. The players’ Title IX damages claims against the California State University Board continue; the judge deferred ruling on them until after the Supreme Court’s B.P.J. decision.
“the NCAA, MWC, SJSU and other public colleges and universities have engaged in a purposeful and illegal assault on the rights of women athletes.” From the complaint, p. 3
Outcome: On March 3, 2026, the court dismissed the Mountain West and granted the CSU defendants' motion in part; the CSU Board's motion on the remaining Title IX claims was re-briefed in August 2026 and is still pending. Source
October 16, 2024 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Appeal dropped; rule blocked
Amicus brief in Kansas v. U.S. Department of Education (2024 Title IX rule)
ICONS backed the states challenging the 2024 federal Title IX rule that redefined sex discrimination to include gender identity. The court accepted the brief on Oct. 25, 2024; the appeal was later dismissed by agreement in March 2025.
Outcome: The federal government dropped its appeal of the injunction against the 2024 Title IX rule, and the Tenth Circuit dismissed it by stipulation on March 13, 2025. Source
October 15, 2024 · U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court ruled for Tennessee
Amicus brief in United States v. Skrmetti
ICONS filed a brief supporting Tennessee in the case over its law on medical gender transition treatments for minors. The Court ruled for Tennessee on June 18, 2025.
“It is the experience of amici that legal protections giving women the opportunity to take part in and succeed in sport are essential to the advancement of women.” From the brief, p. 5
Outcome: On June 18, 2025, the Court upheld Tennessee's law, holding it is not subject to heightened scrutiny and passes rational-basis review. Source
October 2024 · Minnesota Supreme Court
Ruled for Cooper; part remanded
Amicus brief in Cooper v. USA Powerlifting
ICONS supported USA Powerlifting’s women-only category when the case reached Minnesota’s highest court. The court ruled for Cooper on October 22, 2025.
Outcome: On Oct. 22, 2025, the court held the women's-division policy facially discriminatory under the Minnesota Human Rights Act and upheld judgment for Cooper on public accommodations, but sent the business-discrimination claim back to decide whether competitive fairness is a legitimate business purpose. Source
September 25, 2024 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Appeal dropped; rule blocked
Amicus brief in Louisiana v. U.S. Department of Education (2024 Title IX rule)
ICONS backed the states challenging the 2024 federal Title IX rule's gender-identity redefinition of sex discrimination.
Outcome: The parties stipulated to dismiss the federal government's appeal, and the Fifth Circuit dismissed it on March 14, 2025, leaving the injunction against the 2024 rule in place. Source
September 24, 2024 · Mountain West Conference
Demand letter to Mountain West Conference university presidents
ICONS demanded that Mountain West presidents act immediately to protect their women volleyball players' Title IX and equal-protection rights, as San José State fielded a male player on its women's team. It warned that the conference, San José State and the NCAA were violating federal law.
“the only way sport can be safe, fair and equal for women is to maintain a protected female category that excludes male competitors.” From the letter, p. 2
September 3, 2024 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Rule vacated; appeal dismissed
Amicus brief in Tennessee v. Cardona (2024 Title IX rule)
ICONS supported the states and intervenors who won a ruling blocking the 2024 federal Title IX rule, and asked the court to affirm.
“It is a misguided, objectifying, and patently discriminatory trope that girls are undeserving of protection until they reach an elite level in sport.” From the brief, p. 2
Outcome: The district court vacated the 2024 Title IX rule on Jan. 9, 2025, so the Sixth Circuit dismissed the government's appeal for lack of jurisdiction on March 18, 2025. Source
August 27, 2024 · Georgia Senate Special Committee on Protecting Women's Sports
Gaines v. NCAA plaintiffs testify before the Georgia Senate
At the committee's first hearing, at the State Capitol in Atlanta, five plaintiffs in the ICONS-backed Gaines v. NCAA lawsuit testified about competing against and sharing a locker room with a male swimmer at the 2022 NCAA championships, held at Georgia Tech.
August 14, 2024 · U.S. Supreme Court
Court agreed to hear both
Brief urging the Supreme Court to hear Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J.
At the petition stage, ICONS asked the Court to take up Idaho's and West Virginia's laws protecting girls' and women's sports. The Court agreed to hear both cases.
“Sex separated sport is necessary for girls to develop a healthy view of their own bodies.” From the brief, p. 2
Outcome: The Supreme Court granted review in Little v. Hecox (and West Virginia v. B.P.J.) on July 3, 2025. Source
April 2024 · United Nations
Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
ICONS answered the Special Rapporteur’s call for input on violence against women and girls in sport. Her August 2024 report cites ICONS’ submission several times, including in its sections on physical harm to female athletes.
March 14, 2024 · U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
Ruled for NCAA; appeal announced
Riley Gaines and other female athletes sue the NCAA (Gaines v. NCAA)
Current and former college athletes sued the NCAA and Georgia university defendants over NCAA rules that let male athletes compete in women’s events and use women’s locker rooms. ICONS is the sole funder. The court denied the NCAA’s motion to dismiss in September 2025 but ruled for the NCAA on September 28, 2026, finding it is not covered by Title IX. The athletes and ICONS have announced an appeal to the Eleventh Circuit.
“bring this case to secure for future generations of women the promise of Title IX.” From the complaint, p. 2
Outcome: On Sept. 28, 2026, the court granted the NCAA summary judgment, finding it receives no federal funds and so isn't covered by Title IX; the athletes and ICONS announced an appeal to the Eleventh Circuit. Source
January 11, 2024 · NCAA
2024 coalition demand letter to the NCAA
A coalition of women's groups including ICONS renewed its demands that the NCAA repeal policies that let male athletes compete on women's teams, enforce sex-based eligibility and require single-sex locker rooms. The letter also asked the NCAA to meet with affected female athletes.
“Without single-sex competition there can be no equal athletic opportunity.” From the letter, p. 1
2023
December 4, 2023 · U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Settled; policy changed
Free-speech lawsuit over a canceled women’s sports event at a Yolo County library
ICONS and others sued after library staff shut down an August 2023 event on fairness in women's sports at a Davis, Calif., library. The case settled in May 2024: the county changed its policy and paid $70,000 in damages and fees.
“The First Amendment, however, requires that Defendants allow Plaintiffs to speak freely about the integrity of female athletics in library meeting rooms.” From the complaint, p. 2
Outcome: The case settled in May 2024: the county revised its meeting-room policy, let the groups hold their event, and paid $70,000 in damages and fees. Source
September 15, 2023 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Lost; Supreme Court later vacated
Amicus brief in Doe v. Horne (Arizona’s Save Women’s Sports Act)
ICONS supported Arizona officials appealing an injunction that let two male students play on girls' teams despite the state's law. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the injunction on Sept. 9, 2024.
Outcome: The Ninth Circuit affirmed the injunction on Sept. 9, 2024; on June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court vacated that judgment and sent the case back in light of West Virginia v. B.P.J. Source
June 16, 2023 · Minnesota Court of Appeals
Won on appeal; partly reversed
Amicus brief in Cooper v. USA Powerlifting
ICONS supported USA Powerlifting's appeal of a ruling that its women's-category eligibility policy violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
“Deferring protection of girls will cause them to leave competitive sport, never learning to love it or discovering the benefits it can provide them.” From the brief, p. 2
Outcome: On March 18, 2024, the Court of Appeals reversed summary judgment for Cooper and ordered a trial, but the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed that in part on Oct. 22, 2025. Source
May 3, 2023 · U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Lost; Supreme Court later reversed
Amicus brief in B.P.J. v. West Virginia State Board of Education
ICONS supported West Virginia in defending its law limiting girls' school sports to female students.
“Yet, due to male biological advantages, failing to protect the girls’ category will cause girls to leave sport.” From the brief, p. 3
Outcome: On April 16, 2024, the Fourth Circuit ruled for B.P.J. against West Virginia's law; the Supreme Court reversed that decision on June 30, 2026. Source
March 13, 2023 · U.S. Supreme Court
Application denied
First female-athlete brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court
Sixty-seven female athletes, coaches, sports officials and parents, brought together by ICONS, asked the Court to lift a lower-court order blocking West Virginia’s law protecting girls’ sports. The Court denied the application on April 6, 2023.
“By vacating the injunction against West Virginia’s law, this Court can reaffirm that women should not lose their equal opportunity to compete in sports on a level playing field.” From the brief, p. 3
Outcome: On April 6, 2023, the Court denied West Virginia's application to vacate the injunction, with Justices Alito and Thomas dissenting. Source
January 12, 2023 · NCAA
2023 legal demand letter to the NCAA
ICONS formally notified the NCAA that allowing male athletes on women's teams is illegal sex discrimination. It demanded that the NCAA keep women's sports female and require single-sex locker rooms.
“In the world of college sports, it is impossible to provide equal opportunities for both sexes (as required by Title IX) without female-only teams.” From the letter, p. 1
Also: I Stand with April. ICONS stands by powerlifter April Hutchinson and supports her legal defense.