The NCAA formally announced yesterday that it "will
appeal the multimillion-dollar verdict levied against it by a
federal jury" in Kansas City, KS, according to Steve Rock of
the K.C. STAR. The jury awarded $22.3M in damages to coaches
effected by the NCAA's restricted-earnings rule. The damages
were automatically tripled, bringing the total to $67M. The
appeal means the NCAA "may have to post bond" of around $1M,
and it will "continue paying at least two outside legal
firms," one from IL and one from MI. Rock writes the "whole
process could drag on for a year, perhaps longer." In terms
of a possible settlement before the jury trial, NCAA General
Counsel Elsa Cole said the organization had told a mediator
to go as high as $18M, while plaintiffs were seeking around
$40M. Rock adds that "some members of the NCAA family are
wondering how much longer the case will last." OK State
basketball coach Eddie Sutton: "I don't think the NCAA can
win. Let's move on" (K.C. STAR, 5/8). The case now goes to
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver
where a three-judge panel or an entire court will render a
decision. Experts say that an appeal of that decision to the
Supreme Court is also probable (USA TODAY, 5/8).
WHO WILL PAY? In San Antonio, Clifford Broyles writes
there is "no indication" how the NCAA plans to "come up with
the money, but speculation has centered on taking money from
the $140 million distributed annually from championship
events. Some have said it could mean that schools will get
about $200,000 less from NCAA coffers than usual. That's a
significant blow to any budget, crippling to some" (EXPRESS-
NEWS, 5/8). In Dallas, Cathy Harasta writes on the decision
under the header, "NCAA Lawsuit Losses Punish Member
Institutions The Most" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/8).
