Amid scrutiny from the media, rival fans, and esteemed Reddit users, Tuscaloosa County Judge James Roberts has agreed to the NCAA's motion to recuse himself from the Charles Bediako case.
Roberts approved a second temporary restraining order against the NCAA on Bediako's behalf on Monday after the NCAA requested - and was granted - a rescheduling of Tuesday's preliminary injunction hearing due to travel issues related to the weather.
That has yet to be rescheduled, but when it is, a new judge will preside over the case.
Roberts' position on the case came under scrutiny after it was revealed that he is an Alabama donor. He also just so happens to be the only Tuscaloosa County judge who ISN'T an alumnus of the University of Alabama. He will be replaced by one who is.
Every other Tuscaloosa County judge is an Alabama alumnus, at least of the law school. The University of Alabama has the only public law school in the state, so finding a judge without any ties to the school is next to impossible.
Charles Bediako's case is sound regardless of the presiding judge
There's a reason that Bediako's attorneys didn't oppose the NCAA's request for Roberts to recuse himself. They believe they are going to win the case regardless, and they have sound legal grounds to believe it.
The NCAA painted itself into a corner when it first allowed former professional basketball players to play in college. Bediako's case might be different in how he arrived back in Tuscaloosa, but a pro is a pro. Arbitrary lines won't hold up in court, and it's why the NCAA has been on the losing end of so many court cases.
And they'll ultimately end up on the losing end of this one, too. Not because of a biased judge, but because they don't have a leg to stand on.
But rest assured, when Bediako wins his injunction, the same folks complaining about Roberts' connection to the University of Alabama will complain about the new judge being an alumnus.
When it comes to Alabama, people are always going to pitch a fit.