NCAA Files Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs from Compensation Antitrust Lawsuits
The NCAA announced on Thursday, September 4th, that the college football league had filed a motion in a district court in Northern California to dismiss two antitrust lawsuits that were filed in March.
One of the antitrust lawsuits includes four former college football stars, including Clemson football player Martin Jenkins. The second included former West Virginia running back Shawn Alston as the lead plaintiff. Both lawsuits allege that the NCAA should not control scholarships for college football players as there is an artificial financial cap on the compensation to players. Players involved in the antitrust lawsuits also challenge the NCAA’s rules against compensating the players for using their likenesses and names in popular media such as video games.
Last month, US District Judge Claudia Wilkins in Northern California ruled in the O’Bannon antitrust case that players should be compensated when the NCAA uses their names and images in media, but also supported the school’s compensation cap, which she set at a minimum $5,000 per year.
The NCAA said in a news release that Wilken’s decision confirms ”antitrust laws allow the NCAA to set limits on benefits provided to student-athletes, including the amount and nature of awards related to athletics-based scholarships.”
”The NCAA and its co-defendants argue that Judge Wilken should dismiss these complaints based on her decision in O’Bannon and numerous other federal court decisions,” the NCAA said. ”These rulings make clear that the current plaintiffs’ lawsuits are misplaced. While the NCAA and its co-defendants acknowledge Judge Wilken’s legal reasoning on the legitimacy of limiting the amount and nature of financial benefits to student-athletes, the NCAA will continue to appeal the O’Bannon decision because it does not agree with the court’s finding in that case that the NCAA violated antitrust laws.”
Antitrust Violations
Antitrust laws are laws used to regulate anti-competitive behavior in business, as well as regulate unfair business practices. The government maintains these strict antitrust laws to limit the control of one business over the market. Essentially, the US government is preventing the formation of large monopolies.
Antitrust law violations can happen to anyone. You do not have to have a big business to be charged with antitrust violations. What you may see as business negotiations between your business and another, the government may view these negotiations to be antitrust violations.
If the government is investigating you or your business for antitrust violations, contact an experienced South Carolina criminal defense attorney today. Being found guilty of antitrust violations is no minor offense. Antitrust violations are felonies and could mean hefty fines and stiff penalties including imprisonment.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Business Litigation Such as Antitrust Lawsuits
The Strom Law Firm LLC’s business litigation practice is focused on representing individuals, officers, directors, public companies, and private corporations involved in complex civil disputes.
We concentrate our resources and efforts on business and commercial litigation involving:
- Breach of contract claims
- Business fraud
- Interference with business activities or unfair competition
- Antitrust lawsuits / price fixing allegations
- Bank and lender liability
- Insurance fraud and Securities Fraud
- False Claims Act / “qui tam” whistleblower cases
- Breach of warranty claims
Just because you are being investigated does not mean you are guilty. A South Carolina criminal defense attorney at the Strom Law Firm, LLC will fight tirelessly to defend you against antitrust violations. Founded in 1996 by a former US Attorney, we know what it takes to defend crimes not only on a state level, but also on a federal level as well. We are here to help you. Contact an experienced South Carolina criminal defense attorney at the Strom Law Firm today for a free consultation. 803.252.4800
