Football Feud: AG Questions if Big Ten Operating Legally in Nebraska
By Bill Kelly 
, Senior Producer/Reporter Nebraska Public Media
Sept. 11, 2020, 4:15 p.m. ·
The Nebraska Attorney General is picking a fight with the Big Ten.
Excerpt of Letter to the Big Ten from AG Doug Peterson.
In a letter sent to the commissioner Attorney General Doug Peterson demanded proof the powerful athletic conference is registered as a non-profit organization.
In the letter to Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, Nebraska’s Attorney General challenged whether the academic and athletic conference can legally do business in the state of Nebraska.
The letter states: “It has come to my attention that your corporation is conducting business within the State of Nebraska without being registered.”
The Big Ten is registered as a non-profit organization for federal tax purposes.
The action appears to be a legal retaliation for the Big Ten delaying football and other fall sports.
Among other things, the letter demands records detailing the process used to make the decision to delay sports. The request mirrors parts of a lawsuit filed by eight Nebraska football players against the Big Ten. The attorney general’s request carries the weight of state government but could be challenged in court as well.
If the Big Ten has not registered as a non-profit, it could easily file the paperwork to comply. The worst penalty that could be levied is a $500 a day fine while it remains unregistered.
Attorney General Peterson refused a request for an interview to discuss his motives for the unusual action.
The Big Ten and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln had no immediate comment.