US: Antitrust lawsuit against NCAA targets transfer rules

A former Weber State football player who says his scholarship was not renewed following the 2012 season has filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA alleging it violates antitrust laws by forcing players to sit out a year after transferring schools.

The lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of Devin Pugh in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, where the NCAA is based, also contends NCAA rules that limit scholarships violate antitrust provisions. Bowl Subdivision schools are limited to 85 football scholarships and the number is 63 for schools in the Championship Subdivision.

According to CBS Sports, Pugh claims that when his Weber State coach left, the new coach decided not to renew his scholarship. Pugh received scholarship offers from three schools, but those offers were contingent on his ability to play for two more years. Those offers were rescinded due to the one-year sit out rule, and Pugh’s hardship waiver application was denied.

As a result, Pugh transferred to a Division II school, where his scholarship was substantially less than what he’d been receiving at Weber State.

“The NCAA’s limitation on the mobility of college athletes is patently unlawful,” the suit says. “For a striking contrast, one can simply examine the unfettered mobility of the players’ coaches.”

Full content: CBS Sports

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