The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association faces potential legal action over its football realignment plan, with the Archdiocese of Las Vegas alleging the board violated multiple laws. The NIAA’s winter Board of Control Meetings, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Reno, will include discussions on possibly rescinding the realignment approved in November.
At an emergency meeting on Nov. 19, the board voted to scrap the HRM points rating system and create a 10-team Open Division for Southern Nevada’s top classification. The new division includes Bishop Gorman, Liberty, Arbor View, Foothill, Shadow Ridge, Las Vegas High, Desert Oasis, Desert Pines, Green Valley, and Faith Lutheran, leaving them with nine league games and only one nonleague contest.
Letters from the Archdiocese’s Legal Counsel, included in the NIAA meeting packet, claim the board “exceeded its authority under the Nevada administrative code” and violated open meeting laws, due process, and First Amendment protections. A Nov. 30 letter states the actions “violated multiple state and federal laws,” while a Dec. 18 letter demands corrective action or faces a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief and damages.
The realignment proposal originated from Clark County School District principals, who argued the HRM system “created credibility issues” after MaxPreps ranking errors forced multiple revisions to playoff brackets. Bishop Gorman had agreed to play in the 10-team Open Division rather than as an independent, but the reduction of out-of-state games would limit its national championship aspirations.
NIAA executive director Tim Jackson said the organization “does not comment on any existing or potential litigation.” The Archdiocese did not respond to a request for comment.
