Dave Zirin: The NCAA Is Seeking Brand Rehabilitation, Not Justice, in the Penn State Scandal

Dave Zirin: The NCAA Is Seeking Brand Rehabilitation, Not Justice, in the Penn State Scandal

Dave Zirin: The NCAA Is Seeking Brand Rehabilitation, Not Justice, in the Penn State Scandal

The Pennsylvania Governor emerges unscathed, while Penn students bare the burden of the punishment. Why is a private organization wielding this unprecedented power?

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When the NCAA imposed its sanctions on Penn State—which included slashing its budget, removing scholarships and erasing game wins—it acted unilaterally, as a private, unaccountable force unleashed on a public institution. The possible colluding role played by the board of trustees and Governor Tom Corbett were all but ignored, while Penn students are made to bear the brunt of the punishment.

Nation sports columnist Dave Zirin went on Democracy Now! to speak about the scandal and why the NCAA should not be wielding such unprecedented power.

—Zoë Schlanger

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