Judge clears the way for lawsuit against NCAA

As expected, a federal judge today cleared the way for the Ed O'Bannon vs. NCAA lawsuit to reach trial on June 9.

In the process, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken provided opinions on the case that set the stage for a trial or settlement. Among her rulings: the First Amendment does not guarantee media organizations unlimited rights to broadcast entire college football and basketball games, a defense used by the NCAA to justify not paying players for use of their names, images and likenesses.

In a 48-page ruling, Wilken denied both the plaintiffs' and the NCAA's motions for full summary judgments in their favor before a jury trial. Twenty-four current and former college football and men's basketball players are seeking an injunction to end the NCAA's rules prohibiting players from being paid in college.