Margo Gray

Unlike all previous investigations, this one made it clear that these courses were designed above all to keep student athletes eligible. It also made clear the sheer number of people who were complicit, academic counselors, coaches, and even academic deans.

For years, the NCAA had stayed on the sidelines. But now, sitting out was no longer an option. From the very beginning of the UNC scandal, fans feared one thing above all, NCAA involvement. The NCAA governs college sports and has the power to punish schools that break the rules. Punishments that range from player suspensions to the removal of championship banners.

For years, the NCAA had stayed on the sidelines. But now, sitting out was no longer an option. From the very beginning of the UNC scandal, fans feared one thing above all, NCAA involvement. The NCAA governs college sports and has the power to punish schools that break the rules. Punishments that range from player suspensions to the removal of championship banners.

For years, the NCAA had stayed on the sidelines. But now, sitting out was no longer an option. From the very beginning of the UNC scandal, fans feared one thing above all, NCAA involvement. The NCAA governs college sports and has the power to punish schools that break the rules. Punishments that range from player suspensions to the removal of championship banners.

By the summer of 2015, those punishments were becoming a very real possibility. The NCAA formally accused UNC of violating its rules. It argued that UNC had provided impermissible benefits to student athletes in the form of paper classes. For two decades, these classes had awarded athletes high grades, with little to no work required. The facts certainly didn't look good for UNC.

By the summer of 2015, those punishments were becoming a very real possibility. The NCAA formally accused UNC of violating its rules. It argued that UNC had provided impermissible benefits to student athletes in the form of paper classes. For two decades, these classes had awarded athletes high grades, with little to no work required. The facts certainly didn't look good for UNC.

By the summer of 2015, those punishments were becoming a very real possibility. The NCAA formally accused UNC of violating its rules. It argued that UNC had provided impermissible benefits to student athletes in the form of paper classes. For two decades, these classes had awarded athletes high grades, with little to no work required. The facts certainly didn't look good for UNC.

But even so, this was never going to be an easy case for the NCAA to prosecute.

But even so, this was never going to be an easy case for the NCAA to prosecute.

But even so, this was never going to be an easy case for the NCAA to prosecute.

UNC's legal team focused on two main arguments. First, they argued that the paper classes were technically open to all students, not just athletes. In other words, athletes weren't receiving special treatment because anyone could enroll. Their second argument was that the NCAA had no grounds to judge these courses as special benefits or question their rigor to begin with.

UNC's legal team focused on two main arguments. First, they argued that the paper classes were technically open to all students, not just athletes. In other words, athletes weren't receiving special treatment because anyone could enroll. Their second argument was that the NCAA had no grounds to judge these courses as special benefits or question their rigor to begin with.

UNC's legal team focused on two main arguments. First, they argued that the paper classes were technically open to all students, not just athletes. In other words, athletes weren't receiving special treatment because anyone could enroll. Their second argument was that the NCAA had no grounds to judge these courses as special benefits or question their rigor to begin with.

The NCAA has repeatedly stated that it doesn't have a role in policing university academics. While it can punish players for cheating or plagiarizing, it can't determine whether a school's academics are up to par. That's up to the university itself.

The NCAA has repeatedly stated that it doesn't have a role in policing university academics. While it can punish players for cheating or plagiarizing, it can't determine whether a school's academics are up to par. That's up to the university itself.

The NCAA has repeatedly stated that it doesn't have a role in policing university academics. While it can punish players for cheating or plagiarizing, it can't determine whether a school's academics are up to par. That's up to the university itself.

It took the NCAA more than two years to reach a decision, as they sparred behind closed doors with UNC's high-powered legal team. Finally, in October 2017, they announced their decision.

It took the NCAA more than two years to reach a decision, as they sparred behind closed doors with UNC's high-powered legal team. Finally, in October 2017, they announced their decision.

It took the NCAA more than two years to reach a decision, as they sparred behind closed doors with UNC's high-powered legal team. Finally, in October 2017, they announced their decision.

The NCAA said it didn't have the authority to punish UNC under its rules. So in the end, Jay says, the only real consequence UNC faced was the negative media coverage.