ESPN Files Public-Records Suit Against Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio (KDKA/AP) - ESPN has sued Ohio State University, alleging the school violated state public records law by denying requests for items related to an NCAA investigation that has led to the loss of football coach Jim Tressel and star quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
Tressel resigned May 30. During his 10-year tenure at Ohio State, Tressel led the Buckeyes to eight Bowl Championship Series. Pryor announced June 7 the end of his playing career for the Buckeyes. The Jeannette native will enter the NFL's supplemental draft. Pryor threw for 2,772 yards, 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his junior season.
The lawsuit filed June 11 in the Ohio Supreme Court asks justices to order the university to release the records and pay attorney fees and court costs. Among records sought are correspondences referring to Ted Sarniak, reportedly a mentor of Pryor in his hometown Jeannette, Pa.
Tressel forwarded emails to Sarniak regarding accusations that players had sold game memorabilia in violation of NCAA rules.
Among its arguments, ESPN says the university cited an inapplicable federal student-records privacy law in denying records.
Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch says the university believes it has followed applicable law. He says ESPN has received a "voluminous amount" of information.
