Judge Ends Bow Wristband Case With Settlement

A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit after a school district agreed to pay the plaintiffs' legal costs and a settlement sum.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Women’s Issues

Empty high school soccer field under overcast skies with a white goal line, weathered bleachers, and a brick school building softly blurred in the background. — A federal judge in New Hampshire dismissed a two-year lawsuit after the Bow school district agreed to pay $225,000 to a free-speech group and $50,000 in legal fees over wristband restrictions at a 2024 soccer game. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a dismissal order ending more than two years of litigation between two fathers and the Bow school district over pink "XX" wristbands worn at a 2024 soccer game. Under the settlement, the district's risk pool will pay $225,000 to the Institute for Free Speech and $50,000 to the men's attorney.

Why it matters

The case centered on whether schools may restrict adult spectators' expression on school grounds while protecting students from harassment. The settlement resolves the dispute over the wristbands, which the men wore in reference to a transgender student on the opposing team.

The settlement sets $225,000 for the Institute for Free Speech and $50,000 for the men's attorney, while each plaintiff receives a symbolic $17.91. A federal appeals court had ruled in the men's favor after the wristbands were blocked during the case.

The players

Steven McAuliffe

A federal judge in New Hampshire who issued the dismissal order ending the litigation over the Bow school district wristbands.

Institute for Free Speech

A nonprofit legal organization that receives $225,000 under the settlement agreement paid by the district's risk pool.

The details

Kyle Fellers and Anthony Foote sued the Bow school district after being banned from school grounds for wearing the wristbands to a 2024 soccer game. School officials argued they had a duty to protect students from harassment by adults on campus, and Fellers said he missed half of his daughter's soccer games during her senior year.

2024: Fellers and Foote are banned from school grounds after wearing the wristbands to a soccer game.
November 5, 2026: Federal Judge Steven McAuliffe issues the dismissal order ending the litigation.

Culture Shift

The dispute reflects a broader national debate over how schools balance adult expression on campus with protections for transgender students in sports. The settlement ends the case without a court ruling on the underlying constitutional question.

Parents and spectators attending New Hampshire school sporting events may face clearer expectations about apparel and conduct on campus following the settlement. Residents of Bow should watch whether the district adjusts its guidance for game-day attire.

The takeaway

Spectator rules on school grounds can carry legal consequences for both families and districts, so reviewing policies before games can help avoid disputes.