Appeals court to hear NCAA arguments in Ed O’Bannon case

A federal appeals court will hear arguments Tuesday on whether the NCAA must lift restrictions that prohibit college athletes from earning money from television broadcasts, advertisements and video games.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is appealing a district judge’s decision that said its policies “unreasonably restrain trade” by banning athletes from profiting from their own names, images and likenesses.”

UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon sued the NCAA on behalf of Division I men’s basketball and football players concerned about the NCAA profiting from them.

The hour-long hearing starts at 1 p.m. and will be live-streamed on the 9^th Circuit’s website. Although the panel’s decision is likely to take months, the judges’ questions may reveal their leanings.

The NCAA is challenging a ruling by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, who cleared the way for member schools to provide athletes with the full cost of attendance and a limited share of licensing revenue that would be held in trust until they leave college.

Wilken did not lift a ban that prevents athletes from signing commercial endorsements on their own, but her ruling said the NCAA was violating anti-trust laws.

The NCAA’s appeal will be heard by 9^th Circuit Chief Judge Sydney Thomas, a Clinton appointee, Judge Jay Bybee, a George W. Bush appointee, and Judge Gordon Quist, a district judge from Michigan who was nominated by President George H.W. Bush.

Twitter: @mauradolan