Iowa to pay $6.5M to settle landmark sports bias lawsuits

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa will pay $6.5 million to settle discrimination lawsuits filed by former athletic administrator Jane Meyer and her partner, former women's field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum, according to settlements their attorneys called historic Friday.

Meyer had served as Iowa's senior associate athletic director for 13 years, while Griesbaum had led the largely successful field hockey program for 14 seasons.

Polk County jurors earlier this month found that Iowa illegally discriminated against Meyer based on her gender and sexual orientation, retaliated against her for speaking out and paid her less than deputy athletic director Gene Taylor, awarding $1.45 million in damages.

The payouts will come from the athletic department, which doesn't receive tax dollars but is funded largely through broadcasting revenues and ticket sales.

An inquiry continues by the U.S. Department of Education into discrimination complaints filed by former female athletes who were angered by Griesbaum's firing.