NCAA Exec VP & General Counsel Donald Remy said that the NCAA's plan
to “aggressively defend the amateurism model doesn't change" in light of last week's news that O'Bannon plaintiffs will "no longer pursue individual damages,” according to Jeremy Fowler of CBSSPORTS.com. At the Sports Lawyers Association Annual Conference in Chicago last
week, Remy said, “Whether it's a jury or the judge, we're going at it
the same way. It's the same result. I don't know if they think something
about the judge or are trying to avoid the jury. It's still on for June
9 as far as I know.” Remy added, "I suppose it is a strategic move. We
didn't learn about it until late last night. For us it was a surprise
move, an 11th-hour move. At the end of the day, I don't know what it
suggests. Are they not wanting to try the case before a jury? I'm not
sure.” Though it was “believed the NCAA wanted a jury trial,” Remy said
that the NCAA “doesn't have a preference.” Remy: “The judge would call
it like she sees it. She's a fair jurist. I can't speak as to why the
plaintiffs want to move away from a jury, but we believe either way the
law is the law” (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/16).
