Nickname legal battle empties litigation fund

The UND Alumni Association litigation fund that was used for the legal battle against the NCAA over the Fighting Sioux nickname is currently empty.

"There is nothing left in the fund," said LeAnna Anderson, public relations coordinator and media relations coordinator for the Alumni Association.

According to Anderson, the total bill for the nickname lawsuit came to $885,972.25 and UND still owes $2,995.11 in legal fees.

The NCAA did not release the cost of its defense.

The fees were paid to both Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's Office, who represented UND in the lawsuit, and the Salt Lake City law firm Fabian and Clendenin, who assisted the Attorney General.

Anderson said that the remaining balance will be paid by additional donations. "We have promises from donors that the bill will be paid," she said.

The litigation fund was originally made up of donations from confidential donors. "There have been 16 different donors since we started managing the funds in March," Anderson said.

UND was suing the NCAA over a mandate barring them from displaying the Fighting Sioux logo or nickname in postseason play.

The North Dakota University System approved a settlement between UND and the NCAA in October. UND has until Nov. 30, 2010 to gain nickname approval from both the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe.

If support is not given from these tribes, the school will have until Aug. 15, 2011 to change to a new nickname and make changes to athletic teams and venues, including removing logos from the Ralph Engelstad Arena.