Hearings: KU-NCAA Case Moving Toward Conclusion

An end is finally in sight for KU and the NCAA

EVERYTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS BASED UPON WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE I TRUST. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THIS FOR FACT OR FOR ACTUAL JOURNALISM, WHICH HAS VERIFICATION STANDARDS THAT I HAVE NOT ADHERED TO. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT.

In this Hearings newsletter:

1. When can we expect a resolution

2. Why recent precedent bodes well for KU

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When it comes to Kansas' NCAA infractions case, I've generally found KU fans want to know two things:

1. Is KU going to be OK? (What are the penalties?)

2. When will the case end?

I'm Hearing there's been some significant movement toward answering when the case will end. I also have some additional perspective into how recent precedent favors KU’s outlook.

The When

• Bill Self, Kurtis Townsend, and other Kansas officials recently met with the NCAA. The meeting occurred after the regular season ended and before the start of the Big 12 Tournament. 

• The two parties agreed to a hearing date of the case in late April, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.

  • This is the NCAA's version of a trial for the case. 

• This matters because the case can only end after the hearing occurs. Penalties will likely be announced a few weeks-to-months after the hearing.

• Kansas can potentially ask to delay the agreed-upon hearing date, but sources believe the University wants this to end as quickly as possible. 

• As a result, we are finally and officially headed to a conclusion this summer.

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Will KU be OK?

While once considered a possibly devastating blow to Kansas and Bill Self, recent precedent bodes well for the Jayhawks.

• We know Louisville and Arizona avoided major penalties in similar-but-not-identical cases. Specifically, Sean Miller and Rick Pitino both walked away without sanctions.

• Whether or not Adidas acted as a booster was a critical question in both the Kansas and Louisville case.

• In Louisville's resolution, the decision-making panel found that Adidas WAS NOT operating on behalf of the college athletic department. 

  • "The mere existence of a sponsorship agreement is not enough to trigger the apparel company as a representative of Louisville's athletics interests."

    

    Page 22 of the Louisville Decision

• The NCAA charged Self with allegedly failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance, a Level I violation. 

  • Both Miller and Pitino were hit with similar allegations by the NCAA. Neither of those violations held up, as both coaches were found to have demonstrated atmospheres of compliance. 

    • Both coaches frequently and regularly reminded their staff of NCAA rules and compliance. Self will have to do the same.

  • The NCAA also charged Self, Pitino, and Miller with allegedly failing to monitor their respective staff.

    • Neither Pitino nor Miller faced penalties for failing to monitor their staff.

It's important to note these cases are all different. The facts are unique for each school (Kansas re-signed with Adidas in the middle of this thing). And the people deciding the penalties can be different despite coming from the same independent group.

For now, we know this thing is finally headed toward its ultimate end. As of Monday, March 20, we’re now 3 years, 5 months, and 23 days away from when KU first received its Notice of Allegations.

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Scoopmeister’s Note: Seriously more than 3,000 subscribers is amazing. Thank you all for the feedback and support. You are helping me build this every step of the way — I am actively working on new ways for KU fans to hang via The Hearings. Keep on telling your KU friends about what we’re doing here!! Let’s change the KU community together.