NCAA Ordered to Pay Ed O'Bannon's Lawyers $46 Million in Fees

A federal magistrate judge ruled Monday night that the NCAA is responsible for covering around $46 million in lawyer fees accumulated by the plaintiffs in the Ed O'Bannon case.  

Steve Berkowitz of USA Today reports the decision by Judge Nathanael Cousins covers $44.4 million in basic fees and $1.5 million in costs and expenses. A district court judge ruled almost one year ago that the NCAA's limits on what student-athletes receive "unreasonably restrain trade."

The lawsuit itself remains in the court system. The NCAA appealed the original ruling and made its case to a three-judge panel in the 9th U.S. Circuit Appeals back in March. The USA Today report states the judges haven't issued an opinion, and there's no timetable for one.

Jon Solomon of CBS Sports noted the main argument at the appeal surrounded the value of players' names, images and likenesses. The sides debated a baseline deferred payment of $5,000 per year and whether it could lead to pay for play, awarding things like tackles and touchdowns.

"Whatever the law is on Aug. 1, we'll comply with it," NCAA chief legal officer Donald Remy said at the time, per Solomon. That crucial date is now fast approaching.

As for the payment of fees, the USA Today report notes the order could be affected by the appellate court's decision. The NCAA previously argued it should be forced to cover less than $10 million between fees, costs and expenses.

If the NCAA loses the appeal, CBS Sports noted it can petition the United States Supreme Court to take the case, which could further delay the entire process.