In this putative class action, NYLPI represents student-led organization IntegrateNYC and Black and Latino students denied access to NYC public high school sports. The suit charges that the Department of Education and Public Schools Athletic League have engaged in racial discrimination by denying Black and Latino students equal opportunity to play high school sports. Pro bono data analysis by NERA Economic Consulting shows that Black and Latino students have access to far fewer teams and sports, and that the city spends much less per student funding interscholastic sports for them than it does for students of other races. More than 17,000 Black and Latino high school students attend schools that offer no team sports whatsoever, and Black and Latino students are twice as likely as students of other races to attend schools without sports teams. This discrimination has far-reaching harm – participation on sports teams improves physical health, mental wellbeing, and teamwork and leadership skills.

Read the complaint here.

Pro bono co-counsel: Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, and Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady.