Thursday, June 4, 2026- Ohio State University has agreed to a $100 million settlement with nearly 300 survivors of sexual abuse tied to former campus doctor Dr. Richard Strauss, resolving years of federal litigation over one of the most painful misconduct scandals in collegiate sports.
The Board of Trustees unanimously ratified the agreement on June 3, including settlements in principle with 279 of the 280 plaintiffs who still had active claims against the university. This step appears to bring a long legal battle active since 2018 closer to conclusion.
Strauss, who worked as a team physician and on the university’s medical staff from 1978 to 1998, was accused of sexually abusing hundreds of predominantly male athletes during that period.
A 2019 independent investigation detailed widespread abuse under the guise of medical examinations and found that university officials repeatedly failed to act despite complaints and warning signs. The recent $100 million agreement follows earlier settlements totaling more than $60 million with over 300 other survivors.
University leaders and lawyers for survivors called the settlement an important step toward closure. Ohio State President Ravi Bellamkonda acknowledged the survivors’ courage and said finalizing the deals would help the community move forward, while attorneys for the plaintiffs highlighted that the agreement brings accountability after years of grievances and court battles.
The settlement does not end all legal proceedings, but it marks a significant moment in addressing decades-long harm and could set a benchmark for how institutions confront longstanding abuse claims.
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