Balogun’s birthday balloon
Mike Balogun’s legal challenge of the NCAA is heading toward a settlement. Apparently. His lawyer says he is trying to work out some compromise to get the NCAA to re-certify his client’s eligiblity, after it became questionable for allegedly playing semi-pro ball in Maryland after he turned 21 years old. A court hearing that was set for today on Balogun’s request for an injunction against the NCAA was cancelled, to give the parties an opportunity to try to work things out.
My experience with settlements is they are good ideas when you a) want to avoid looking stupid in front of the whole world; or b) it’s cheaper. Both are some reasons for the NCAA to consider letting Mikey play.
But, any settlement would have to be written so as to protect OU from sanctions in the event the NCAA decides to de-certify Balogun when some yokel presents a Youtube video showing Balogun dressed up as a Maryland Marauder, with 21st birthday party hat and balloons.
None of this would be that critical if linebackers recruited by the Sooners had super tuff ACLs. That is probably Bob Stoops’ birthday wish this year.