Department of Justice Looking into NCAA Satellite Camp Ban

There was plenty of backlash against the Michigan Wolverines and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh earlier in the offseason about satellite camps, but now that the NCAA has actually banned them the tide appears to be turning the other way.

No less than the United States Department of Justice has begun looking into the topic of satellite camps, according to USA Today and several other outlets. A couple of anonymous sources leaked the information.

Why would the DOJ care about college football and satellite camps? The answer is the potential effect a ban could have on opportunities for high school players to interact with college coaches.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, a congressional delegate representing the District of Columbia, sent a two-page letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert listing her concerns:

From the Detroit Free Press:

"I am concerned that this new NCAA rule will restrict and reduce educational opportunities for high school student athletes in the District of Columbia by limiting opportunities for District youth to gain exposure (and) showcase their athletic talents and potentially earn a college scholarship."

The NCAA Division 1 Council voted to ban the camps — with some voters no doubt motivated by the perception that Harbaugh was abusing the system — on April 8. However, the vote goes to the NCAA Board of Directors for potential ratification April 28.

Rather than hurting Harbaugh, the ban is more likely to hurt lesser-known players who could be recruited to Group of 5, FCS and Division II programs for scholarships, not to mention the schools themselves.

The Big 10 was the only Power 5 league to vote against the ban, but clearly this saga is far from over.