Cardinal Sin: Louisville Sues Duke Over Canceling Football Series

Louisville Claims Duke Backed Out Of Football Deal

The Univ. of Louisville has filed a lawsuit against Duke Univ. "claiming that the schools had agreed to play each other four times in football between ['02-09] but that Duke canceled the last three games," according to Jason Riley of the Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL. UL claims the decision cost them" money and an opponent from a quality conference." The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Franklin County (KY) Circuit Court, asserts Duke "backed out" of the three games scheduled '07-09, two of which were to be played at UL. UL "requested a $150,000 buyout for each of the three games -- as specified in the agreement -- or a suitable replacement team" from the ACC. According to the suit, Duke asked UL "to find its own replacement," and agreed to pay UL "only if the program could not, after a 'good faith' effort, find a replacement game." The lawsuit is seeking $450,000 for the games and "any other relief the courts deem appropriate" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 11/9).