Skip to content

Judge orders NCAA to supply emails in Paterno defamation case

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Potter County judge John Leete ordered the NCAA to provide all emails and other forms of communication to the court as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by the estate of one-time Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

The lawsuit, filed in 2013, states the NCAA unfairly tarnished Paterno's name, as well as the names of former coaches Jay Paterno and Bill Kenney in Penn State's consent decree related to the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.

The decree stated the school must agree to a four-year bowl ban, a $60-million fine to fund anti-child abuse efforts, eliminating 112 wins, erasing Paterno's status as winningest coach, and a temporary reduction in football scholarships.

The plaintiffs claim the report harmed commercial interests and hurt the coaches' chances of obtaining other coaching positions.

All communications between the board, the NCAA, and Penn State officials are to be provided to the court. They must also give a privilege log listing any documents being withheld on the grounds of attorney-client privilege.

The estate seeks punitive damages from the defendants, which includes NCAA President Mark Emmert and former executive chair Ed Ray.

Leete also ruled the information is an integral part of the defamation case to prove whether malice was involved.

Paterno was fired in 2011 and died in January 2012 of lung cancer at 85 years old.

The now-72-year-old Sandusky was convicted in 2012 on 45 of 48 charges and sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox