Gov. Wants To Toss NCAA Sanctions Against PSU [VIDEO]

An antitrust lawsuit by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett against the NCAA argues the organization acted illegally and was motivated by a desire to gain power for its president and weaken the university.

The 43-page complaint being filed Wednesday seeks to vacate all of the punishment related to the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal, including a $60 million fine and four-year bowl ban.

The lawsuit claims the NCAA was motivated by a desire to "gain leverage in the court of public opinion."

The NCAA says it's disappointed in Corbett's lawsuit, calling it meritless and an "affront" to Sandusky's victims.

Corbett says the university and state have been harmed by what he calls "harsh penalties."

Paterno family 'encouraged' by lawsuit vs. NCAA

Joe Paterno's family says it's encouraged by word that Pennsylvania's governor is filing a federal lawsuit against the NCAA over its sanctions against Penn State.

The late football coach's family released a statement Wednesday that says that Gov. Tom Corbett "now realizes, as do many others, that there was an inexcusable rush to judgment" in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The NCAA imposed a $60 million fine, a multiyear bowl ban and other penalties in the wake of a report by former FBI Director Louis Freeh that concluded Paterno and other Penn State officials covered up abuse reports. The scandal cost Paterno his job two months before his death last January at age 85.

Corbett says he is seeking to get the NCAA sanctions tossed.

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