World Aquatics has reached a settlement with a group of swimmers who filed a class action lawsuit in 2023.
Olympians Tom Shields, Michael Andrew and Katinka Hosszu sued World Aquatics, then known as FINA, for anti-competitive conduct in 2023, regarding swimmers competing in the International Swimming League (ISL), claiming FINA threatened to sanction swimmers who participated in the Energy for Swim Meet in 2018, which was cancelled because of alleged restrictions by FINA.
The U.S. District Court in California originally favored World Aquatics (FINA) stating there was no restraint of trade, but after more litigation. World Aquatics has reached a settlement with ISL swimmers.
The settlement has a $4.6 million fund set up by World Aquatics to distribute to swimmers who signed contracts to swim in the Energy For Swim meet in Turin in 2018, as well as the 2019 ISL season, ensuring swimmers are more than fully compensated following the 2018 and 2019 ISL seasons.
World Aquatics’ President, Husain Al Musallam said the settlement will significantly benefit the sport’s athletes.
“This lawsuit dates back to the previous management of FINA, and, regrettably, it has dragged on for so many years,” he said. “However, I am pleased that we are finally able to step in and provide this significant sum of money for the swimmers, many of whom were badly let down. I do not believe that it would have been fair for our athletes to continue to suffer financially, and this settlement ensures that the swimmers are fully compensated and reflects World Aquatics’ continuing commitment to the development of the sport of swimming and support for swimming athletes around the world.”
The court must approve the settlement, and this does not include a separate lawsuit filed by the ISL against FINA.