Iowa has reached a settlement in the lawsuit filed some 2 years ago by a group of Black former Iowa football players who claimed that coach Kirk Ferentz was at the helm of a discriminatory culture.

The settlement is for $4.175 million, and the Iowa athletics department expected to pay out $2.175 million and the state will pay the remaining amount, the Des Moines Register reported. The Iowa Department of Management’s State Appeal Board was expected to vote on the settlement Monday afternoon.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, one of the 3 appeal board members, said Monday morning he would oppose using taxpayer funds for the settlement unless Iowa athletics director Gary Barta was ousted.

“Under Gary Barta’s leadership at the University of Iowa Athletics Department, we’ve had the Peter Gray scandal plus three instances of discrimination totaling nearly $7 million in damages (setting aside other suits),” Sand said in a statement to other settlement board members.

“After the largest settlement (referring to a $6.5 million suit in 2017 involving former field hockey coach Tracey Greisbaum and her partner, Jane Meyer), Barta asserted no wrong was done. Now we have a new matter for $4 million more, and for the first time they want part paid from the taxpayers’ general fund, even though they now collect tens of millions annually thru the Big Ten TV deal.

“Enough is enough. Clear personal accountability is necessary. I will not support taxpayers funding this settlement unless Gary Barta is no longer employed at the university and forfeits any severance or similar pay. I encourage you to join me. Real accountability will help prevent discrimination, protecting both taxpayers and future victims.”

The players who brought the lawsuit forward are Maurice Fleming, Andre Harris, Marcel Joly, Kevonte Martin-Manley, Aaron Mends, Jonathan Parker, Reggie Spearman and Akrum Wadley.

In a letter sent to the university when notice was given about the lawsuit, Tulsa-based civil rights attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons demanded $20 million in compensation and for the firings of Barta, Ferentz and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. In addition, other structural changes aimed at prioritizing improved treatment of black players were demanded.