US: NCAA antitrust trial wraps up

After 15 days of testimony, the high-profile trial of the antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA concluded last Friday.

The suit, filed by former collegiate athlete Ed O’Bannon, accuses the NCAA of violating antitrust law by barring student athletes from seeking their share of profits made by the association when those athletes’ names, likeness and images are used in broadcasts and videogames.

While the plaintiffs are seeking a change in the NCAA’s business model, a legal representative for the defendants was confident at the end of trial, telling reporters that “the plaintiffs have still not been able to articulate an antitrust theory” against the NCAA.

At the center of the case is the NCAA’s argument that college sports constitutes amateurism, and that a change in the business model would lead to bidding wars for athletes, or cause schools to abandon sports.

Closing briefings must be filed by July 10, reports say. Judge Claudia WIlken is looking to issue a ruling in the middle of August.

Full content: Fox Sports

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