The law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King has already billed the University of Oregon over $70,000 in legal fees to investigate allegations of NCAA violations in the pursuit of running back Lache Seastrunk. (Incidentally, the running back has already transferred out of the school before playing a snap.) Oregon retained the firm back in March, after it was revealed the school paid $25,000 to a talent scout in 2010, after the back gave his commitment to Oregon. Complete Scouting Services had been advising players, and CEO Willie Lyles allegedly had a mentoring relationship with the running back.
This is not Bond’s first time working with a Division I athletic program. The Syracuse based law firm has carved out a niche in NCAA administrative rules. Recently the firm has done work with the University of Tennessee and Miami (FL) for alleged violations of NCAA rules. The University of Connecticut has also retained the firm for allegations against their basketball team. The NCAA’s investigation of the Huskies led to an over $700,000 payday for the firm, which defended the University against charges that UConn overlooked improper benefits given to players by agents. Universities pay these fees because losing a Division I program can result in a huge revenue shortfall for the university.
