USC AD discusses sanction relief with NCAA

Southern California athletic director Pat Haden says he has spoken with NCAA President Mark Emmert about the possibility of providing some relief from the sanctions that have been weighing down the program since 2010. Haden said in a statement released by the university Thursday that his meeting with NCAA officials this week had been previously scheduled. He says that in light of the NCAA’s recent decision to lessen the scholarship reductions that Penn State was hit with last year after the Jerry Sandusky scandal, USC felt compelled to discuss its sanctions with the NCAA. The NCAA sanctioned USC after it was found former star Reggie Bush received improper benefits. The program’s scholarship limit was reduced from 85 to 75.

Associated Press