Supreme Court to Hear Anti-Trust Case Against NCAA About Player Compensation

The United States Supreme Court announced today that it would take up a case that has challenged NCAA rules regarding player compensation.

Last year, a US district court ruled that the NCAA was in violation of federal antitrust laws in a suit filed by Shawne Alston, a former football player at West Virginia. The ruling was upheld by an appeals court this past May. The NCAA then appealed to the Supreme Court.

“If the lower courts’ rulings are allowed to stand and the NCAA continues to be found in violation of antitrust law, it would lose its ability to determine, on a nationwide basis, the rules about the types and amounts of education-related benefits schools can give athletes,” reports USA Today. “Such benefits could include cash payments for academic performance.”

A ruling against the NCAA would allow scholarship offers to exceed the value of the education. Schools would then have to compete with each other for athletes, providing things such as fellowships for grad school or paid internships post-eligibility.

Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer for the players who has previously sparred with the NFL, relishes the chance to fight in Supreme Court:

Plaintiffs' attorney Jeff Kessler, just now: "We'll win in the Supreme Court — that's my comment. We feel very confident in our position and we're looking forward to having this case heard." https://t.co/xlkjxa2zSF pic.twitter.com/rcuwxwBoul

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) December 16, 2020

In an issued statement responding to the suit, the NCAA hints at giving greater benefits to players at its own discretion and expresses hope of avoiding further regulation and oversight:

NCAA statement on Supreme Court decision to hear the association's appeal in the Alston case: https://t.co/uqp9kOugAe pic.twitter.com/SRfg5OLKO8

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) December 16, 2020

Between this lawsuit, and states like Florida and California pushing for name, image, and likeness rights for players, the way of doing business in college sports could change dramatically in the coming years.