Facts

Plaintiff Margie Wright, a 55-year-old women's softball coach, worked at defendant California State University, Fresno, for over 20 years. In 1998, her teams were consistently successful in winning the national championship. She claimed defendant subjected her to gender discrimination and retaliation for her advocacy of gender equity and participation in complaints filed with the Office for Civil Rights. The parties agreed to mediation.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended defendant discriminated against her since 1992 and did not pay her a comparable salary to men's football and basketball coaches. Some men's sports teams also enjoyed more preferential treatment than that granted to plaintiff at the school.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defendant contended plaintiff's proper salary comparison should be to the men's baseball coach, who made significantly less money than plaintiff.

Damages

The plaintiff sought an unspecified amount for emotional distress.

Result

The case settled for $605,000. Plaintiff will recover $157,000 in cash; $250,000 through an annuity that will pay her $2,500 per month for 10 years; $153,000 of credit toward an additional five years in her retirement program; and $45,000 in attorney fees.