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UNC settles public meeting complaint related to trustees’ discussions on athletics finances

Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must pay $25,000 and have its administrators agree to abide by state laws on open meetings, as part of a settlement that dismissed a lawsuit over the administration’s handling of athletics discussions.

David McKenzie, a Wake County attorney, filed a complaint in May in Orange County Superior Court accusing trustees of violating open meeting laws in previous closed discussions related to athletics budgets. It came as UNC trustees spoke out about athletics in a move that underscores growing national tensions with schools jumping from league to league seeking more money tied to TV deals in a football-driven market.

McKenzie told Raleigh’s WRAL that he was “pleased” with the settlement, which saw him agree to dismiss the lawsuit and have the university pay $25,000 to cover McKenzie’s expenses and legal fees.

“If they’re going to take the public’s money, they have to do it publicly,” McKenzie told The News & Observer of Raleigh. “And if they don’t, they can be held responsible for attorney fees.”

McKenzie’s original complaint came as trustees indicated they would discuss UNC’s athletics budget in closed session at an upcoming meeting, and also referenced private session discussions about athletics matters in November. That came amid comments questioning the financial picture led by athletics director Bubba Cunningham, even though UNC interim chancellor Lee Roberts publicly supported Cunningham in a public backlash against the trustees.

A judge has imposed several temporary restraining orders on UNC administrators during a closed session of athletics financial discussions that could also include future conference divisions.

Main photo via Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill.

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