Cobb’s Award Reduced $1 Million in Ruling by Superior Court Judge

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Drake ruled Friday that a $2.1-million jury award June 6 to former USC assistant athletic director Marvin Cobb should be reduced to $1.1 million.

The ruling came in response to a motion by USC’s attorneys to correct the verdict, based on an incorrect form submitted to the jury.

The jury had awarded Cobb $1.1 million in economic losses stemming from his breach of contract suit against the USC athletic department, and an additional $1 million in non-economic losses.

Drake overturned the non-economic losses award.

Cobb said he was disappointed at the decision, but not surprised.

“We were aware that the defense had made a mistake on the jury form and that this might happen,” he said. “It’s disappointing but very, very small, in truth, to the case.”

The jury found that the school had failed to give Cobb a promised promotion after two years of employment.

In a prepared statement, Johnnie Cochran, the lawyer representing USC, said the verdict form submitted to the jury contained a line allowing Cobb damages for non-economic losses.

“Under well-settled law in California, an employee is not entitled to recover non-economic losses for the breach of an employment contract,” Cochran said. “I am pleased the judge agreed that justice demanded that he strike the award for non-economic damages.

“Our next step will be to file a motion to overturn the remainder of the damage awarded.”

The jury deadlocked on a charge that USC had racially discriminated against Cobb, and a retrial is set for Oct. 3, Cobb said.

Cobb is still employed by USC in an administrative role at USC’s Health Science campus.