Louisville players sue NCAA over vacated title
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A group of former Louisville men’s basketball players have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over the organization’s vacation of the Cardinals’ 2013 national championship and 2012 Final Four during an escort scandal investigation.
John Morgan, one of several attorneys representing former Cardinals captain Luke Hancock, the 2013 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and four teammates from that title team, said a lawsuit had been filed and described the NCAA as “a morally bankrupt organization” that exploits student-athletes during a Wednesday news conference.
The suit, filed Wednesday in Jefferson County Circuit Court, does not specify monetary damages. It states the NCAA cast the plaintiffs in a false light and seeks declaration that it wrongfully vacated the plaintiffs’ victories, honors and awards.
“If all we get is this championship back for Louisville, and the players, and the city, and Luke’s MVP back, that’s going to be plenty of pay for us,” Morgan said.
The attorney also mentioned former Louisville players Gorgui Dieng, Tim Henderson, Stephan Van Treese and Mike Marra as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
NCAA spokesman Stacey Osburn told The Associated Press that the organization hasn’t received a copy of the lawsuit and declined to comment Wednesday afternoon.
The governing body in February denied the school’s appeal and vacated 123 victories, including their third NCAA title, following an escort’s allegations in October 2015 that former basketball staffer Andre McGee hired dancers for sex parties. Louisville removed the championship banner from its home arena soon afterward.
Several investigations soon followed, including ones by the school and the NCAA. Louisville’s own investigation found that violations did occur and it imposed penalties, including sitting out the 2016 postseason in an effort to mitigate NCAA penalties.
In June 2017, the NCAA ordered Louisville to vacate victories that included the championship and Final Four appearance for activities it described as “repugnant.” Coach Rick Pitino was suspended for five games for failing to monitor McGee. The school and the coach vowed then to fight the penalties. Pitino eventually was suspended and fired after 16 seasons last fall following Louisville’s acknowledgment of its involvement in a federal investigation into college basketball corruption.