Varsity Brands All Star Cheer antitrust $43.5M class action settlement

Update:

• The court granted this settlement final approval Oct. 4, 2023.

• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Settlements & Payouts Facebook group.

Varsity Brands agreed to pay $43.5 million to resolve claims it worked with other companies to maintain a monopoly over All Star cheerleading events and products.

The settlement benefits a Gym Class made up of entities that paid registration, fees and other expenses to Varsity in order to participate in Varsity All Star Events between May 26, 2016, and March 15, 2023.

The settlement also benefits a Spectator Class of consumers who purchased admission and other expenses paid directly to Varsity in order to observe Varsity All Star Events between May 26, 2016, and March 15, 2023.

According to the antitrust class action lawsuit, Varsity Brands conspired with Varsity Spirit and Varsity Spirit Fashions & Supplies to maintain a monopoly on All Star cheerleading events. As a result, All Star gyms and spectators allegedly overpaid to host and participate in these events.

Varsity Brands is a sports events coalition that provides event coordination, athletic gear, spirit supplies and student awards. Varsity Brands includes BSN Sports, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones.

Varsity Brands hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $43.5 million settlement to resolve the antitrust class action lawsuit.

Eighty-five percent of the net settlement fund will be used to pay Gym Class members, while the remaining 15% will be used to pay Spectator Class members. 

Under the terms of the settlement, Gym Class members can receive a pro rata share of their portion of the net settlement fund based on the amount they paid Varsity for registration, fees and other All Star expenses. 

Spectator Class members can receive $10 for each admission they purchased to attend Varsity All Star events. These class members can claim up to 20 events for a maximum payment of $200.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 3, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the Varsity Brands All Star Cheer settlement is scheduled for Sept. 26, 2023.

Class members will be required to submit a valid claim to receive settlement benefits, but claim forms and related deadlines will not be available until after the final approval hearing.

Who’s Eligible

Gym Class: entities who paid registration, fees and other expenses to Varsity in order to participate in Varsity All Star Events between May 26, 2016, and March 15, 2023.

Spectator Class: consumers who purchased admission and other expenses paid directly to Varsity in order to observe Varsity All Star Events between May 26, 2016, and March 15, 2023

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Documentation of Varsity-related expenses.

Claim Form

N/A

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Exclusion Deadline

08/03/2023

Case Name

Fusion Elite All Stars, et al. v. Varsity Brands LLC, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-02600-SHL-tmp, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

Final Hearing

09/26/2023

Settlement Website

AllStarCheerAntitrustSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

All Star Cheer Antitrust,
c/o Claim Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
[email protected]
888-610-6050

Class Counsel

Eric L Cramer
BERGER MONTAGUE PC

Karin E Garvey
DICELLO LEVITT LLC

Victoria Sims
CUNEO GILBERT & LADUCA LLP

Defense Counsel

George S Cary
Steven J Kaiser
CLEARY GOTTLEIB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP

Grady M Garrison
Nicole Berkowitz Riccio
BAKER DONELSON