Florida, New York, D.C. Join Antitrust Lawsuit Against NCAA, After Tennessee And Virginia Put In The Work
It might seem as though it transpired last year, due to all the different news coming out of college athletics, but the Tennessee and Virginia lawsuit against the NCAA has now paved the way for other states to join the action.
East Tennessee federal judge Clifton Corker granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA following the filing of an antitrust lawsuit that went after the organization for preventing players from negotiating NIL deals with collectives before enrolling at a particular school.
While sitting in that hearing back in February, the NCAA did not have much of an argument against why prospective student-athletes could not engage in talks regarding compensation for their services. Rightfully, Judge Corker saw through the inept argument and ruled in the favor of Tennessee and Virginia.
A ruling by Judge Clifton Croker seemingly told the NCAA it can no longer enforce any rules related to how a prospect or portal player uses NIL to determine where they want to play a sport. In reality, this was a death blow to the NCAA, and it would have a hard time coming back from the ruling.
Now, after waiting almost two months since the ruling in an East Tennessee courthouse, three more states have joined the motion that was argued by attorneys general from Virginia and Tennessee. According to a report, New York, Florida and the District of Columbia have now joined as plaintiffs against the NCAA in this case over NIL rights.
"We’re glad to keep fighting to protect student-athletes from illegal NCAA rules. I welcome the addition of our bipartisan partners to the case," Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement. "The ultimate goal is to get the lawyers out of this and let student-athletes compete under fair and clear rules, but in the meantime, we’ll do our part to move things in the right direction."
Court rules in favor of Tennessee and Virginia in fight over NIL rules, thanks to injunction.
Just a week after Judge Corker granted the injunction, NCAA President Charlie Baker released a statement that seemingly implied that the organization was laying down their swords when it came to going after schools for potential NIL violations.
"In response to this latest order, the Division I Board of Directors directed NCAA enforcement staff to pause and not begin investigations involving third-party participation in NIL-related activities," NCAA President Charlie Baker wrote. "There will be no penalty for conduct that occurs consistent with the injunction while the injunction is in place. I agree with this decision, while the progress toward long-term solutions is underway and while we await discussions with the attorneys general.
"In circumstances that are less than ideal, this at least gives the membership notice of the board’s direction related to enforcement."
So, to make sure that their state schools are covered under the TRO, you are seeing other states add their names to the plaintiffs' list in the case against the NCAA. Honestly, this is a smart move from a legal standpoint, as it gives off a more cohesive feeling around the entire lawsuit.
The NCAA has approved a new policy that will allow athletes to have unlimited transfers, as long as they are in good academic standing.
(OutKick / Trey Wallace)
While the TRO granted schools the opportunity to navigate the NIL waters without worrying about the NCAA coming after them for what they think are violations, you knew that other states would want to tie their names to this lawsuit, just for an added layer of protection.
I would hope the attorneys general for the three states that have now joined sent a nice fruit basket to Tennessee and Virginia for taking the reins on this case and provide a path towards an open NIL environment around collegiate sports.
As for Tennessee attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti, the fight to protect the rights of players will continue on.
"Tennessee and Virginia, now with Florida, New York, and Washington, D.C., will continue to litigate this case to the fullest extent necessary to ensure the NCAA’s monopoly cannot continue to harm Tennessee student-athletes."