Louisville appeals 'draconian' NCAA penalties in escort case

Louisville says the NCAA "abused" its authority when it disciplined the school for a sex scandal that could result in the loss of its 2013 national basketball championship.

The school also says in a 68-page appeal released Friday that the governing body imposed "draconian" penalties and ignored the school's self-imposed discipline.

Additionally, the school was placed on four years' probation and ordered to return money received through conference revenue sharing for appearances in the 2012 to 2015 NCAA's men's basketball championships.

Both penalties hinge on the participation, the response added, are discretionary and could be deemed inappropriate if the student-athlete isn't culpable for misconduct and received a negligible benefit that could restore eligibility.

The appeal also said the school acted swiftly upon learning of McGee's conduct and imposed severe penalties such as sitting out the 2016 NCAA Tournament despite being ranked 13th.