Meet the Man Who Thinks He 'Screwed Up' College Football with a Supreme Court Win
In the annals of college football, one name stands out as a catalyst for the game's transformation into a high-stakes, money-driven spectacle: Andrew Coats.
In the annals of college football, one name stands out as a catalyst for the game's transformation into a high-stakes, money-driven spectacle: Andrew Coats.
Yet, surprisingly, Coats looks back on his landmark Supreme Court victory with deep regret.
Yet, surprisingly, Coats looks back on his landmark Supreme Court victory with deep regret.
Back in 1984, Coats was the lawyer who successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.
Back in 1984, Coats was the lawyer who successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.
The outcome of this case would forever change the landscape of college football.
The outcome of this case would forever change the landscape of college football.
At the heart of the matter was whether universities should have the freedom to maximize their revenue from football.
At the heart of the matter was whether universities should have the freedom to maximize their revenue from football.
Coats represented the side advocating for this freedom, and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of his clients.
Coats represented the side advocating for this freedom, and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of his clients.
They declared that the governing body of intercollegiate athletics couldn't restrain the trade rights of schools and their conferences.
They declared that the governing body of intercollegiate athletics couldn't restrain the trade rights of schools and their conferences.
Fast forward to today, and the repercussions of that ruling have left Coats questioning the impact of his victory.
Fast forward to today, and the repercussions of that ruling have left Coats questioning the impact of his victory.