Tue, September 09, 2025
Former ISL swimmers to be compensated $4.6 million by World Aquatics
Former swimmers involved in the International Swimming League (ISL) lawsuit will be compensated $4.6 million by Word Aquatics (formerly FINA) after it allegedly restricted the swimmers from competing in outside competitions. The money will be divvied between swimmers who signed contracts to participate at an ISL event in Italy back in 2018 and in the 2019 ISL season. This includes Tom Shields and Katinka Hosszu. They were represented by Jeffrey Kessler of Winston & Strawn, main plaintiff attorney in the House v NCAA lawsuit.
In 2018, the athletes took legal action after accusing FINA of preventing them from participating in outside competitions through sanctions, limiting the league’s ability to gain top swimmers and therefore making it less competitive within the market. The plaintiffs stated that the 2018 Energy for Swim competition in Italy was cancelled due to World Aquatics. The governing body stated that it would prevent athletes who participated in the Energy competition from participating in the Olympics. This allegedly contributed to the swimmers missing out on $3.3 million in fees and prize money and meant that the governing body was acting against the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.
Back in 2023, a lower court ruled in favour of FINA, with the judge ruling that the athletes had not proven that an American court should have jurisdiction over Switzerland-based FINA. The judge, Jacqueline Scott Corley, stated in 2023: “The Court acknowledges the record is replete with evidence of FINA's concern about competition from ISL. But, so what?” However, the appeal has been successful with World Aquatics agreeing to pay the sum.
In 2022, the league itself cancelled its fourth season following the Russo-Ukrainian War, and several swimmers have voiced that they are still owed promised payouts.
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam expressed: “This lawsuit dates back to the previous management of FINA, and, regrettably, it has dragged on for so many years…
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.”
Separately, the privately funded 2026 Enhanced Games which is set to take place in Las Vegas and allows athletes to use performance enhancing substances without being subject to drug tests, is now suing World Aquatics, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and USA Swimming for $800m after accusing them of orchestrating an unlawful effort to discourage athletes from participating.
The official lawsuit concerning ISL can be found here.
World Aquatics’ statement can be found here.
