Parsons Behle & Latimer shareholder and First Amendment attorney Michael O’Brien, who represents The Salt Lake Tribune in some matters, was quoted in an article regarding the recent private equity deal and University of Utah athletics.
The University of Utah’s plan to partner with private equity firm Otro Capital would potentially bring up to $500 million into its athletics program, which has drawn political, legal and faculty scrutiny. Critics worry the deal undermines the university’s nonprofit mission, could raise ticket prices and reflects growing corporatization of higher education. There are also questions about whether the university was fully transparent with the public about the nature of the deal before it was discussed during its board of trustees meeting.
“One would be hard-pressed to conclude that the notice the university gave here involved such a significant and unprecedented change to the nature of collegiate athletic finances,” said O’Brien.
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