A group of former pro football players with cognitive impairment who took out tens of thousands of dollars in high-interest loans against their expected payments in the N.F.L. concussion settlement may not have to pay their lenders back.
The federal judge overseeing the settlement, worth an estimated $1 billion, on Friday voided all contracts with lenders who were supposed to be repaid when the players receive cash awards for their severe neurological and cognitive problems.
Last year, The New York Times identified more than half a dozen lenders who were offering former players a chance to borrow against their potential awards, but with interest rates of up to 50 percent.