PENN STATE, UNIVERSITY PARK - Several business owners and local officials stood behind Governor Tom Corbett Wednesday as he announced the lawsuit.
Most of the local business owners say they're glad action is being taken.
"For the community to come together to form some kind of class action suit, as some businesses are as busy as we are, trying to hold our businesses together right now, I think that would have been nearly impossible," Champs General Manager Dante Lucchesi said.
And that's why local business owners say they're glad Governor Corbett is stepping up to the plate.
"This was probably the best year and the best product Penn State will be able to put on the field for the next few years," Lucchesi said. "Additionally, it's just hurting the brand, the brand of Penn State. You think about merchandise and jersey sales. It's going to be affected for the next few years and that deeply affects the whole community."
Pat Daugherty owns The Tavern in downtown State College. He says the sanctions handed down have affected businesses like his, not just during football season, but well after, too.
"Long after the season was over, and into the next year, it created t-shirt sales and I went to the Rose Bowl," Daugherty said. "It just creates a lot of business. Buying tickets locally and going to the Bowl games."
Centre County Commissioner Chris Exarchos says unless some action is taken, the future of Penn State football, and the Penn State community, could be at risk.
"The concern is moving forward with the sanctions, with regard to the football scholarships and the Bowl games, it may make it very difficult for the program to attract future quality athletes," he said.
Most of the local business owners say they're glad action is being taken.
"For the community to come together to form some kind of class action suit, as some businesses are as busy as we are, trying to hold our businesses together right now, I think that would have been nearly impossible," Champs General Manager Dante Lucchesi said.
And that's why local business owners say they're glad Governor Corbett is stepping up to the plate.
"This was probably the best year and the best product Penn State will be able to put on the field for the next few years," Lucchesi said. "Additionally, it's just hurting the brand, the brand of Penn State. You think about merchandise and jersey sales. It's going to be affected for the next few years and that deeply affects the whole community."
Pat Daugherty owns The Tavern in downtown State College. He says the sanctions handed down have affected businesses like his, not just during football season, but well after, too.
"Long after the season was over, and into the next year, it created t-shirt sales and I went to the Rose Bowl," Daugherty said. "It just creates a lot of business. Buying tickets locally and going to the Bowl games."
Centre County Commissioner Chris Exarchos says unless some action is taken, the future of Penn State football, and the Penn State community, could be at risk.
"The concern is moving forward with the sanctions, with regard to the football scholarships and the Bowl games, it may make it very difficult for the program to attract future quality athletes," he said.
