October Term 2000 · Docket 99-901
Does a public school athletic association act as the state when it admits private schools?
Brentwood Academy argues the TSSAA is a state actor. The TSSAA claims private membership breaks that status.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
James Blumstein argued for Brentwood Academy. He stated the TSSAA is a state actor. He claimed private membership does not alter that status.
The TSSAA argued it is a private entity. It claimed its mixed membership breaks the state actor link. It sought to avoid state action liability.
Chief Justice Rehnquist closed the argument. He stated the case was submitted. No further questions were asked.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-21 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 33-35
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association acts as the state. Brentwood Academy argues the group remains a state actor. The TSSAA argues private membership changes its legal status.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-21 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 11, 2000.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
Brentwood Academy wants the Court to declare the TSSAA a state actor. It seeks to hold the association accountable under state action doctrine.
The TSSAA wants the Court to declare it a private entity. It seeks to avoid state action liability for its regulatory decisions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-21 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
What each side says
Brentwood Academy argues the TSSAA remains a state actor. It claims admitting few private schools does not change its status.
The TSSAA argues its private membership makes it a private entity. It claims this status shields it from state action claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-21 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
What the justices asked
Does admitting a small number of private schools change the TSSAA's status? The Court must decide if the association remains a state actor.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 33-35
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between public and private athletic regulation. It determines how courts treat mixed-membership associations. It shapes accountability for student athletic programs nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-21 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 33-35
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-21 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 5-21 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 5-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-7 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-7
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.