Kessler Discusses NCAA Antitrust Lawsuit with Time 

Winston & Strawn partner Jeffrey Kessler was quoted in the Time Magazine article “The Long and Winding Road to Paying College Players,” published October 8, 2014.

The article examines recent challenges to the current model in college sports, including Winston & Strawn’s landmark antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA, led by Mr. Kessler.

“We’re aiming to enjoin the restrictions placed on Division 1 basketball and major college football players from being compensated for their services, given the huge amount of revenue generated from these sports,” Mr. Kessler said. “What will be decided is whether it’s legal to have a rule that schools cannot compensate athletes at all.”

The movement to pay college athletes has recently gained momentum, as seen in the O’Bannon v. NCAA verdict and a National Labor Relations Board decision that football players from Northwestern University could form a union.

“There’s a growing recognition form the courts, the public, the fans, and even the schools that the current system is fundamentally unfair,” Mr. Kessler said. “We think change is coming.”