On Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit ruled in Edward O’Bannon Jr. v. NCAA et al. that the NCAA's ban on paying student-athletes violates federal antitrust law. However, the Appeals Court also ruled that the NCAA doesn’t have to provide compensation to athletes above and beyond the cost of attending college.
Womble Carlyle attorney Mark Schamel offered his thoughts on the ruling’s impact—and the future of O’Bannon v. NCAA—with Law360.com.
“Although the appeals court agreed the NCAA violated antitrust law, overall the ruling is a win for them. The trial court would have allowed colleges to pay student-athletes beyond educational expenses. This ruling, while requiring a greater burden on the NCAA schools to provide student-athletes with more, still gives them some wiggle room to do so. I can see the Supreme Court wanting to weigh in,” Schamel said.
Click here to read the full article at Law360.com.
Mark Schamel is based in Womble Carlyle’s D.C. office where, along with professional athletes, he represents public officials and others in high profile matters.