NCAA Settles with Jerry Tarkanian in Long-Awaited Dispute

Strategic Insights -

Jerry Tarkanian, former coach of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), will receive $2.5 million in settlement from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for being unfairly targeted and penalized over the course of 25 years. Tarkanian's lawsuit, which claimed the NCAA made up evidence to justify its actions, was set to go to trial next week, but the two parties reached a settlement just days before. As part of the agreement, Tarkanian will also receive a conciliatory statement from the NCAA, acknowledging its past wrongdoing.

Tarkanian's attorney, Terry Giles, stated that the coach's team had "no evidence" to support the NCAA's accusations, except for one minor infraction. Giles expressed confidence in the case, saying that testimony from former players, officials, and lawyers would have shown that the NCAA acted arbitrarily. Tarkanian's wife, Lois, confirmed the settlement figure, praising the outcome as a "win" for the beleaguered coach.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jerry Tarkanian will receive $2.5 million from the NCAA as part of a settlement in his long-standing dispute with the organization.
  • The settlement comes just one month before the case was set to go to trial in Las Vegas.
  • Tarkanian's lawsuit claimed that the NCAA made up evidence to justify its penalties against him, and that he was unfairly targeted over the course of 25 years.
  • Tarkanian's attorney, Terry Giles, expressed confidence in the case, stating that the NCAA had no evidence to support its accusations except for one minor infraction.
  • The NCAA will also provide a conciliatory statement to Tarkanian as part of the settlement.
  • Tarkanian's wife, Lois, praised the outcome, calling it a "win" for her husband.
  • Tarkanian had previously sued the NCAA in 1978, but the case was dismissed by the Supreme Court in 1988.

Statistics:

  • $2.5 million: Amount Tarkanian will receive from the NCAA in settlement.
  • 25 years: Length of time Tarkanian was targeted by the NCAA.
  • 7 years: Length of time Tarkanian spent at UNLV, during which the university was penalized by the NCAA three times.
  • 1998: Year the average ticket price for the Fiesta Bowl game was $80, which is set to increase to $135-$195 for next season's championship game.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press, using unnamed sources.
  • Jerry Tarkanian, quoted in an interview with The Associated Press.
  • Terry Giles, Tarkanian's attorney, quoted in an interview with The Associated Press.
  • Lois Tarkanian, Jerry Tarkanian's wife, quoted in an interview with The Associated Press.
  • The NCAA, quoted in a statement to The Associated Press.