NCAA Escapes Former Villanova Star’s Antitrust Suit

By Editorial Team

A federal judge in New York has ruled against a former Villanova University basketball player in his antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA. The player, known for his buzzer-beating shot that secured the 2016 championship, alleged that the NCAA unlawfully restricted his ability to earn money.

The judge determined that the player missed the legal window to bring the antitrust claim, dealing a blow to his efforts to challenge the NCAA’s regulations on player compensation.

The lawsuit, which involved prominent law firms such as Cooley LLP, Latham & Watkins, and Mayer Brown representing various parties, targeted the NCAA for its alleged limitations on athletes’ financial opportunities.

Among the entities mentioned in the case were the Atlantic Coast Conference, Pac-12 Enterprises LLC, and Villanova University, along with the NCAA itself. The legal battle took place in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York before Judge Denise L. Cote.

Despite the setback for the former player, the case sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding the NCAA’s rules on athlete compensation and the broader issue of amateurism in college sports.

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