Case Brief
NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, 468 U.S 85 (1984).
Decision by Supreme Court of the United States
FACT: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) advises colleges that form the College Football Association that they will be barred from accessing all competitions it organizes. The case brings forward a television rights conflict. The situation forces the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma and that of Georgia Athletic association to sue NCAA to stop the ban. The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma accused NCAA practice to control television broadcast rights to college games was unconstitutional as it violated the Sherman and Clayton Anti-trust Acts, which limits monopoly power over trade.
The case slowly moved to the Supreme Court of the United States, having been appealed by NCAA at both the District Court and the Circuit Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court ruling upheld the decision of the lower courts
LEGAL QUESTION: Does NCAA engage in activities that violate the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts regarding free trade?
DECISION: Yes (7-2) Justice John Paul Stevens wrote the majority opinion.
COURT’S RATIONALE: NCAA actions depict evident monopoly power over trade, which is barred by the Sherman Anti-trust Act. Restraining price and output in sports is a violation of free trade.
DISSENTING OPINION: Justice Byron White wrote the dissenting opinion. NCAA actions touch on the unique nature of sports professionalism in colleges. Since the case entails commercial aspects of sports, NCAA actions are reasonable.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CASE: The case led to colleges being allowed to televise games freely. As a result, the number of games televised increased, leading to a decline in sports revenue from television rights.