PIERRE – South Dakota is suing the NCAA on behalf of its two largest universities saying a proposed settlement with student-athletes over financial compensation puts an unfair burden on smaller schools.
Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Tuesday that his office and the South Dakota Board of Regents, representing South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, filed a complaint against the NCAA, the governing body for college athletics in the United States.
The
complaint, filed Tuesday in Brookings County Circuit Court,
alleges that a proposed $2.8 billion settlement between the NCAA and the “Power Four” conferences unfairly forces smaller schools to be responsible for a disproportionate share of the settlement cost.
Money from such a settlement would go to mainly “Power Four” student-athletes whose earning potential while in college was restrained by the NCAA’s amateur rules. Jackley said while student-athletes deserve the financial award for their hard work and efforts, the burden of the settlement should not fall on the smaller universities like the South Dakota schools.
“As a former college student-athlete, I believe strongly in a system that presents our athletes with opportunities to compete and treats all of our athletes fair and equal,” Jackley said in a statement. “I am disappointed that our South Dakota athletes and universities are paying the price for a settlement that did not involve any of our conduct. This settlement unlawfully and blatantly discriminates against female student-athletes by limiting them to less than 10 percent of the proceeds.”
Attorney General Marty Jackley talks to reporters at the Codington County Courthouse in Watertown, S.D., on Monday, Feb, 26, 2024.
Patrick Lalley / Sioux Falls Live
The complaint states that the Power Four conferences caused the “vast majority” of the damages that the settlement addresses, but those responsible conferences are being required to pay less of the financial burden.
South Dakota Board of Regents President Tim Rave said this is a fairness issue.
“The South Dakota Board of Regents, the Attorney General’s Office, and our universities are taking action to voice our concerns about the disproportionate allocation of our state’s Division I athletic programs in the proposed NCAA settlement,” said Rave in the state’s press release. “This settlement will significantly impact our two largest athletic programs, and we appreciate the support of the Attorney General’s office as we navigate this issue.”
Presidents of South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota have stated that the proposed settlement will reduce NCAA revenue for their size schools. Both universities agree that the settlement will have significant implications for their athletic programs while not providing comprehensive benefits for the state’s student-athletes.
No court hearing date has yet been scheduled for the complaint.
SDSU and USD presidents issued statements supporting the state’s legal action.
“The settlement poses significant implications for our athletic programs without providing comprehensive benefits for our student-athletes. We appreciate the support from the Attorney General’s Office as we navigate this matter to seek fair outcomes for our state and universities,” said SDSU President Barry Dunn.
“The University of South Dakota is grateful for the continued support of the Attorney General’s Office as we work through our concerns to guarantee equitable treatment for our state and universities. The proposed House vs. NCAA settlement will substantially impact our athletic program and our ability to support our student-athletes,” said USD President Sheila Gestring.
Patrick Lalley is the editor of Sioux Falls Live. Reach him at [email protected].
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Publish date : 2024-09-10 04:12:00
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