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Court Justice: The Inside Story of My Battle Against the NCAA and My Life in Basketball
"Like Curt Flood and Oscar Robertson, who paved the way for free agency in sports, Ed O'Bannon decided there was a principle at stake... O'Bannon gave the movement to reform college sports...passion and purpose, animated by righteous indignation." --Jeremy Schaap, ESPN journalist and New York Times bestselling author
In 2009, Ed O'Bannon, once a star for the 1995 NCAA Champion UCLA Bruins and a first-round NBA draft pick, thought he'd made peace with the NCAA's exploitive system of "amateurism." College athletes generated huge profits, yet--training nearly full-time, forced to tailor coursework around sports, often pawns in corrupt investigations--they saw little from those riches other than revocable scholarships and miniscule chances of going pro. Still, that was all in O'Bannon's past...until he saw the video game NCAA Basketball 09. As avatars of their college selves---their likenesses, achievements, and playing styles--O'Bannon and his teammates were still making money for the NCAA. So, when asked to fight the system for players past, present, and future--and seeking no personal financial reward, but rather the chance to make college sports more fair--he agreed to be the face of what became a landmark class-action lawsuit.
Court Justice brings readers to the front lines of a critical battle in the long fight for players' rights while also offering O'Bannon's unique perspective on today's NCAA recruiting scandals. From the basketball court to the court of law facing NCAA executives, athletic directors, and "expert" witnesses; and finally to his innovative ideas for reform, O'Bannon breaks down history's most important victory yet against the inequitable model of multi-billion-dollar "amateur" sports.
In 2009, Ed O'Bannon, once a star for the 1995 NCAA Champion UCLA Bruins and a first-round NBA draft pick, thought he'd made peace with the NCAA's exploitive system of "amateurism." College athletes generated huge profits, yet--training nearly full-time, forced to tailor coursework around sports, often pawns in corrupt investigations--they saw little from those riches other than revocable scholarships and miniscule chances of going pro. Still, that was all in O'Bannon's past...until he saw the video game NCAA Basketball 09. As avatars of their college selves---their likenesses, achievements, and playing styles--O'Bannon and his teammates were still making money for the NCAA. So, when asked to fight the system for players past, present, and future--and seeking no personal financial reward, but rather the chance to make college sports more fair--he agreed to be the face of what became a landmark class-action lawsuit.
Court Justice brings readers to the front lines of a critical battle in the long fight for players' rights while also offering O'Bannon's unique perspective on today's NCAA recruiting scandals. From the basketball court to the court of law facing NCAA executives, athletic directors, and "expert" witnesses; and finally to his innovative ideas for reform, O'Bannon breaks down history's most important victory yet against the inequitable model of multi-billion-dollar "amateur" sports.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published February 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2018
Starting with the images from a video game, Ed O’Bannon decided to take on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in court, arguing that current and former college athletes should be compensated for the use of their likenesses. The course that this lawsuit takes, as well as O’Bannon’s life and career as it relates to the case, is captured in this book that is a must-read for fans of college sports and readers interested in this case.
The book takes the reader through the case, starting with the motivation of the lawsuit, through the discovery and testimony of several NCAA officials, the verdict rendered by the judge and the aftermath. Through it all, O’Bannon shares stories from his college life as well as basketball, his frustration through his NBA career and the successful career he has had since leaving basketball.
The overwhelming point made throughout the book was that the NCAA has been exploiting college athletes by generating billions of dollars through their activity and their images and likenesses. Not just during the actual games, but O’Bannon uses examples like jerseys, promotional material and press releases to add to his point. He also refutes those who believe that athletes are compensated because they receive scholarships and therefore have no grievance. He believes that these athletes, especially those who came from poverty, can’t afford a “normal” college life (something the NCAA continuously tries to illustrate), athletes are not guaranteed sufficient medical care should they suffer injuries and that because many athletes have to spend up to 50 hours a week on athletic-related activities they don’t get to obtain the true educational experience.
There is also one other inconsistency with the NCAA that O’Bannon mentions with athletes being able to speak to “advisors”, usually meaning agents and the professional drafts. If a college hockey or baseball player speaks to an “advisor”, he is not subjected to his NCAA eligibility being revoked. Nor is it in danger if he is drafted by a professional baseball or hockey team – as long as he doesn’t sign a contract, he can still play at the college level in his sport. These are not afforded to football or basketball players (both men and women in the latter) because in order to retain eligibility, a player who is considering being eligible for the draft must withdraw before the day of the draft and cannot have contact with any outside “advisor.” While stopping short of calling the NCAA a racist organization, he does make the reader think because college hockey and baseball players are mostly white whereas college football and basketball players are mostly black.
Inconsistencies like this are at the crux of O’Bannon’s case and the reader will be captivated with his account of the trial, his life and how the NCAA needs to undergo serious changes. O’Bannon ends the book with twelve suggestions he has for this last point and the reader will be left hoping that something can be done for these athletes to be fairly compensated for the hard work they do for the schools and NCAA.
I wish to thank Diversion Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
The book takes the reader through the case, starting with the motivation of the lawsuit, through the discovery and testimony of several NCAA officials, the verdict rendered by the judge and the aftermath. Through it all, O’Bannon shares stories from his college life as well as basketball, his frustration through his NBA career and the successful career he has had since leaving basketball.
The overwhelming point made throughout the book was that the NCAA has been exploiting college athletes by generating billions of dollars through their activity and their images and likenesses. Not just during the actual games, but O’Bannon uses examples like jerseys, promotional material and press releases to add to his point. He also refutes those who believe that athletes are compensated because they receive scholarships and therefore have no grievance. He believes that these athletes, especially those who came from poverty, can’t afford a “normal” college life (something the NCAA continuously tries to illustrate), athletes are not guaranteed sufficient medical care should they suffer injuries and that because many athletes have to spend up to 50 hours a week on athletic-related activities they don’t get to obtain the true educational experience.
There is also one other inconsistency with the NCAA that O’Bannon mentions with athletes being able to speak to “advisors”, usually meaning agents and the professional drafts. If a college hockey or baseball player speaks to an “advisor”, he is not subjected to his NCAA eligibility being revoked. Nor is it in danger if he is drafted by a professional baseball or hockey team – as long as he doesn’t sign a contract, he can still play at the college level in his sport. These are not afforded to football or basketball players (both men and women in the latter) because in order to retain eligibility, a player who is considering being eligible for the draft must withdraw before the day of the draft and cannot have contact with any outside “advisor.” While stopping short of calling the NCAA a racist organization, he does make the reader think because college hockey and baseball players are mostly white whereas college football and basketball players are mostly black.
Inconsistencies like this are at the crux of O’Bannon’s case and the reader will be captivated with his account of the trial, his life and how the NCAA needs to undergo serious changes. O’Bannon ends the book with twelve suggestions he has for this last point and the reader will be left hoping that something can be done for these athletes to be fairly compensated for the hard work they do for the schools and NCAA.
I wish to thank Diversion Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
January 11, 2018
COURT JUSTICE by Ed O'Bannon and Michael McCann is the recounting of the class action filed by O'Bannon against the NCAA, which challenges the use of college athletes likenesses and identities without compensation. The NCAA contended that college athletes are students and "amateurs" and therefore are not allowed to be paid, by them or anyone else. O'Bannon and McCann walk the reader through the case, while also explaining other faults in college athletics. O'Bannon's basketball career is also reviewed and the reader sees through O'Bannon's collegiate days some of the faults in the system as well.
The case itself is very complex, with lots of nuances and complicated arguments throughout, but the authors do an excellent job of breaking down each part and explaining those parts as simply as they can. Chronically the book jumps around a bit, from the beginning of the trail, to near the end, to the pre-trail filing, but done in a logical way to properly explain the entire timeline and how it evolved. O'Bannon's life experiences are used throughout to emphasize different points in the case and at the same time reading many of his stories were entertaining and kept the book from getting too heavy. That balance of fun and complex was done quite well and kptp the courtroom details from becoming too exhausting to read. O'Bannon personal opinions on much of the matter are interspersed in the book and towards the end, O'Bannon writes a list of changes he would like to see in college sports that he thinks will make life better for the athletes without losing the quality of collegiate sports.
Well-crafted from beginning to end, COURT JUSTICE does an excellent job of presenting O'Bannon's side of the court case and also delving into what life is like for a college athlete. I certainly had misconceptions about the court case, but after reading this book, I don't see how anyone wouldn't understand what the case was really about: fairness.
Thank you to Diversion Books, Ed O'Bannon and Michael McMann, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The case itself is very complex, with lots of nuances and complicated arguments throughout, but the authors do an excellent job of breaking down each part and explaining those parts as simply as they can. Chronically the book jumps around a bit, from the beginning of the trail, to near the end, to the pre-trail filing, but done in a logical way to properly explain the entire timeline and how it evolved. O'Bannon's life experiences are used throughout to emphasize different points in the case and at the same time reading many of his stories were entertaining and kept the book from getting too heavy. That balance of fun and complex was done quite well and kptp the courtroom details from becoming too exhausting to read. O'Bannon personal opinions on much of the matter are interspersed in the book and towards the end, O'Bannon writes a list of changes he would like to see in college sports that he thinks will make life better for the athletes without losing the quality of collegiate sports.
Well-crafted from beginning to end, COURT JUSTICE does an excellent job of presenting O'Bannon's side of the court case and also delving into what life is like for a college athlete. I certainly had misconceptions about the court case, but after reading this book, I don't see how anyone wouldn't understand what the case was really about: fairness.
Thank you to Diversion Books, Ed O'Bannon and Michael McMann, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
November 20, 2017
I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This case is the tip of the iceberg for the battle on the hypocrisy of NCAA amateurism and protecting the rights of collegiate athletes. Whether if you are familiar with the legal proceedings or not, this book is a must read because you are given a behind the scenes exploration of O'Bannon's battle with the NCAA over the use of player's likenesses. The reader will learn O'Bannon's motivations for joining the lawsuit and how he felt throughout the process. As an outsider, you might have formed an opinion when you heard a recap of the day's testimony in court, but now you have access to what the primary plaintiff and his legal team felt about each witness and how their testimony strengthened or weakened their case. Inserting some insight into O'Bannon's personal life helps humanize O'Bannon for the reader and gives perspective of why he was motivated to fight the NCAA, even when there were adverse effects on his livelihood. Adding in the story of how Jerry Tarkanian recruited O'Bannon, and treated he fairly while being pursued by the NCAA was another great example of how this book successfully creates victims to the tyrannical regime of the NCAA.
This case is the tip of the iceberg for the battle on the hypocrisy of NCAA amateurism and protecting the rights of collegiate athletes. Whether if you are familiar with the legal proceedings or not, this book is a must read because you are given a behind the scenes exploration of O'Bannon's battle with the NCAA over the use of player's likenesses. The reader will learn O'Bannon's motivations for joining the lawsuit and how he felt throughout the process. As an outsider, you might have formed an opinion when you heard a recap of the day's testimony in court, but now you have access to what the primary plaintiff and his legal team felt about each witness and how their testimony strengthened or weakened their case. Inserting some insight into O'Bannon's personal life helps humanize O'Bannon for the reader and gives perspective of why he was motivated to fight the NCAA, even when there were adverse effects on his livelihood. Adding in the story of how Jerry Tarkanian recruited O'Bannon, and treated he fairly while being pursued by the NCAA was another great example of how this book successfully creates victims to the tyrannical regime of the NCAA.
January 14, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I fondly remembered Ed O'Bannon from his playing days and nominally followed his lawsuit against the NCAA.
I'm afraid this book didn't add anything to that appreciation with it's leaden sports & courtroom analogies and the involvement of Sonny Vaccaro who, at best, is a creep with correct opinions on the NCAA. I'm happy for the verdict in this case but I don't know if this book is the place to look for more insight.
Like Ed O's basketball career this book made a splash in my Kindle from the publisher via Net Galley, then fizzled out. This ebook also now sells Toyotas in Las Vegas.
I'm afraid this book didn't add anything to that appreciation with it's leaden sports & courtroom analogies and the involvement of Sonny Vaccaro who, at best, is a creep with correct opinions on the NCAA. I'm happy for the verdict in this case but I don't know if this book is the place to look for more insight.
Like Ed O's basketball career this book made a splash in my Kindle from the publisher via Net Galley, then fizzled out. This ebook also now sells Toyotas in Las Vegas.
August 8, 2019
Ed O’Bannon was a very good college basketball player. His account against the NCAA was good. His account is another story of how corrupt and hypocritical they are. They so full of themselves. Good for Ed O’Bannon.
Read
March 1, 2020An excellent read, be it a college sports fan, an industry executive, mixture of both or neither. The subject matter really will pull you in regardless.
February 9, 2020
The last editions of the NCAA Football and Basketball video games came out in 2013, and the enormously popular series may never be renewed. Why? The primary reason is a lawsuit, O'Bannon v. NCAA, in which the courts essentially held that if the NCAA is going to sell and profit from the images of current and former athletes, it needs to compensate them for doing so. But the NCAA's rules around amateurism bar compensation beyond college scholarships and some cost-of-attendance support, so the games have ceased production. It's more complicated than that, but that's basically the situation. And in Court Justice, lead plaintiff Ed O'Bannon tells his side of the story, both in regards to the lawsuit itself, and his life as an athlete.
I am very interested in the lawsuit and the workings of college athletics in generally, but I am not at all interested in Ed O'Bannon (who I'd literally never heard of before I became aware of the lawsuit), so I'd been hoping for an emphasis on the legal part rather than his college and career. That was probably naive on my part...O'Bannon (with co-writer Michael McCann), not a lawyer or other broader expert, is the author, so it's naturally strongly focused on his experience. And I don't know if he himself did a lot of the writing or it was an editorial decision to keep the finished product as close to his own words as possible, but either way it doesn't quite work: the writing quality here is weak.
The entire book is basically framed through a device in which O'Bannon recounts a stage of the lawsuit, then (usually clumsily) segues into an anecdote from his life. This is not particularly effective, as the narratives feel disconnected and neither builds up much momentum. O'Bannon is unfamiliar with the legal system and it shows: he takes things like the NCAA lawyers trying to trip him up in deposition personally, when the reality is that that's how litigation works. He feels like the higher level federal courts are for "the elite" because they're in fancier buildings than state courts. His perspective as an outsider adds precious little to an understanding of the mechanics and legally successful arguments of the case.
What it does do well is force one to consider the perspectives of the athletes, and how very real the feelings of exploitation are when you're barely able to scrape together enough to have the basics while watching coaching salaries explode and facilities become ever-more luxurious. Someone is doing the labor that makes the system profitable, and it's not the people who are the sole profiteers. When you add in the racial dynamics (an overwhelmingly white athletics administrative and authority structure, with overwhelmingly black athletes in the revenue sports), there's another dimension to the unfairness. O'Bannon touches on this, but never really develops it and that's honestly frustrating. There's a really interesting examination of the issue of compensation for college athletes (I personally support the Olympic model, in which athletes would be able to seek outside endorsements), but this book isn't it. Unless you've got a deep and abiding interest in Ed O'Bannon and a high tolerance for poor-quality prose, I'd avoid it.
I am very interested in the lawsuit and the workings of college athletics in generally, but I am not at all interested in Ed O'Bannon (who I'd literally never heard of before I became aware of the lawsuit), so I'd been hoping for an emphasis on the legal part rather than his college and career. That was probably naive on my part...O'Bannon (with co-writer Michael McCann), not a lawyer or other broader expert, is the author, so it's naturally strongly focused on his experience. And I don't know if he himself did a lot of the writing or it was an editorial decision to keep the finished product as close to his own words as possible, but either way it doesn't quite work: the writing quality here is weak.
The entire book is basically framed through a device in which O'Bannon recounts a stage of the lawsuit, then (usually clumsily) segues into an anecdote from his life. This is not particularly effective, as the narratives feel disconnected and neither builds up much momentum. O'Bannon is unfamiliar with the legal system and it shows: he takes things like the NCAA lawyers trying to trip him up in deposition personally, when the reality is that that's how litigation works. He feels like the higher level federal courts are for "the elite" because they're in fancier buildings than state courts. His perspective as an outsider adds precious little to an understanding of the mechanics and legally successful arguments of the case.
What it does do well is force one to consider the perspectives of the athletes, and how very real the feelings of exploitation are when you're barely able to scrape together enough to have the basics while watching coaching salaries explode and facilities become ever-more luxurious. Someone is doing the labor that makes the system profitable, and it's not the people who are the sole profiteers. When you add in the racial dynamics (an overwhelmingly white athletics administrative and authority structure, with overwhelmingly black athletes in the revenue sports), there's another dimension to the unfairness. O'Bannon touches on this, but never really develops it and that's honestly frustrating. There's a really interesting examination of the issue of compensation for college athletes (I personally support the Olympic model, in which athletes would be able to seek outside endorsements), but this book isn't it. Unless you've got a deep and abiding interest in Ed O'Bannon and a high tolerance for poor-quality prose, I'd avoid it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews