The State of Pennsylvania is preparing a lawsuit against the NCAA to challenge sanctions levied against Penn State University in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. Penn State, which has been working in concert with the NCAA since the scandal, is not involved in preparing the suit. It is being handled solely by the state.
An announcement could come as early as Wednesday.
A spokesman for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett declined comment when reached on Monday night.
"We're not prepared to say anything at this point," said Corbett's spokesman, Kevin Harley.
It is unclear if the suit will seek to overturn or reduce the NCAA's historic penalties against Penn State. The NCAA and Pennsylvania politicians have been wrangling over whether the $60 million Penn State owes in fines to the NCAA, which will go to child abuse prevention, should be spent locally or nationally. Penn State has already deposited $12 million of that fine into an escrow account.
It is also not known whether the lawsuit will be all-encompassing and challenge the NCAA's historic penalties against Penn State. In July, the NCAA announced penalties that included significant scholarship reductions, a four-year postseason ban and vacated wins under former coach Joe Paterno. Penn State officials said at the time they accepted such harsh penalties because they feared being dealt the so-called "death penalty," which would mean the shutdown of the program for one or multiple years.
If the suit challenges the NCAA penalties, it could be significant in its scope with an entity as powerful as the state of Pennsylvania going up against the NCAA.
"I can't confirm anything," Harley said when asked about the date of the announcement. "You must appreciate the fact that we have rules and laws."
The lawsuit is not being filed at the request of Penn State. Multiple Penn State officials said Monday night that they knew only of the suit in the most vague terms.
"Penn State has no involvement in this suit," according to one Penn State official.
An NCAA spokesman declined comment on Monday night. Historically, the NCAA does not comment on cases before they are filed.
An announcement could come as early as Wednesday.
A spokesman for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett declined comment when reached on Monday night.
"We're not prepared to say anything at this point," said Corbett's spokesman, Kevin Harley.
It is unclear if the suit will seek to overturn or reduce the NCAA's historic penalties against Penn State. The NCAA and Pennsylvania politicians have been wrangling over whether the $60 million Penn State owes in fines to the NCAA, which will go to child abuse prevention, should be spent locally or nationally. Penn State has already deposited $12 million of that fine into an escrow account.
It is also not known whether the lawsuit will be all-encompassing and challenge the NCAA's historic penalties against Penn State. In July, the NCAA announced penalties that included significant scholarship reductions, a four-year postseason ban and vacated wins under former coach Joe Paterno. Penn State officials said at the time they accepted such harsh penalties because they feared being dealt the so-called "death penalty," which would mean the shutdown of the program for one or multiple years.
If the suit challenges the NCAA penalties, it could be significant in its scope with an entity as powerful as the state of Pennsylvania going up against the NCAA.
"I can't confirm anything," Harley said when asked about the date of the announcement. "You must appreciate the fact that we have rules and laws."
The lawsuit is not being filed at the request of Penn State. Multiple Penn State officials said Monday night that they knew only of the suit in the most vague terms.
"Penn State has no involvement in this suit," according to one Penn State official.
An NCAA spokesman declined comment on Monday night. Historically, the NCAA does not comment on cases before they are filed.
