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An Okie-State pitcher has been restored to his team after [url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/college/?p=746]winning a lawsuit against the NCAA[/url] who had previously ruled him ineligible for having a lawyer/advisor present during negotiations that never led to a pro contract.
Erie County judge Tyge M. Tone ruled that the NCAA cannot restrict a player’s right to have legal representation when negotiating a professional contract ... the decision invalidated the NCAA’s "no agent" and "restitution" rules.
"I’m ecstatic," said the lawyer, ... "The NCAA is a bully, and they’ve been beating up on these kids and these schools for years, and everybody’s been taking it. I can’t believe people put up with it, I really can’t."
... the judge wrote: "no entity, other than that one designated by the state, can dictate to an attorney where, what, how or when he should represent his client. With all due respect, surely that decision shall not be determined by the NCAA and its member institutions, no matter what the Defendant utters is the purpose of the rule."
This will probably have more meaning to college football or basketball players it will for than baseball. But I find it amazing how long the NCAA has gotten away with rules that ended a player's eligibility the minute they contract to just be advised about the decision on whether to turn pro.
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