University Of New Hampshire To Offer 'DeflateGate' Course This Fall
DURHAM, N.H. (CBS) – As a legal analyst, sports writer and professor living in New England, Michael McCann is more than "generally aware" of the controversy related to the New England Patriots and their underinflated footballs.
This fall, McCann will take his knowledge of underinflated footballs into the classroom when he teaches a course called Deflategate at the University of New Hampshire.
"This course is not about deflated footballs. Instead, it is about the interplay between those footballs -- along with numerous other sports things -- and the legal, regulatory and journalistic systems governing sports," a course description on the university's website reads. "Students in Deflategate learn about crucial areas of law that relate to sports and the methodologies used to practice in relevant fields."
McCann is a writer for Sports Illustrated in addition to his role as Director of Sports & Entertainment Law at UNH.
The course was inspired by the ongoing controversy involving the New England Patriots, who were accused of taking air out of footballs prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Independent investigator Ted Wells revealed this week in a lengthy report that it was "more probable than not" that the Patriots knowingly tampered with the footballs, adding that star quarterback Tom Brady was likely "generally aware."
The UNH course begins on August 31 and runs until December 11, taking place Wednesdays from 5:10-8 p.m. It is worth four credits for participating students.
