Judge grants request to resolve O'Bannon appeal by August 2015

The NCAA and the O'Bannon plaintiffs received good news from the federal district court Wednesday: the NCAA's appeal of the initial judgment in favor of the plaintiffs has been expedited and a final ruling will be made before August 1, 2015.  

The NCAA is appealing the initial ruling last month from U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken that past and present athletes could be compensated for their name, images, and likenesses.  

Per Steve Berkowitz of USA Today: 

The NCAA, according to the filing, wanted the appeal decided before the association and the schools would be "forced to make fundamental changes to the administration of collegiate athletics and to their relationship with students."

Under a normal schedule, it is likely the appellate court wouldn't have heard oral arguments in the case until late in 2015.

The NCAA's opening brief is due November 14.