Michigan State University must release the names of 300 student-athletes listed in police reports as suspects in criminal investigations. That’s under a Michigan Supreme Court order issued today.
ESPN requested the records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act for a series on whether college-athletes suspected of crimes get special treatment.
MSU provided campus police reports, but redacted the names of student-athletes named as suspects.
MSU said, unless they’re actually charged, that’s an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
ESPN sued and MSU lost in the Michigan Court of Appeals, which said the inquiry was a matter of legitimate public concern.
With one justice dissenting, the state Supreme Court let that decision stand, and said it’s time for MSU to release the names.
MSU says it will comply.
