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A federal judge in Harrisburg has dismissed Gov. Tom Corbett's lawsuit that sought to overturn the NCAA's crushing penalties against Penn State's football program over the handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Governor Tom Corbett speaks at a Patriot-News Editorial Board meeting.. 02/020/2013 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

U.S. Middle District Chief Judge Yvette Kane concluded that while Corbett raises important economic and other issues, he does not make a case to attack the NCAA's sanctions on anti-trust grounds.

The anti-trust argument was the foundation for the governor's case.

The 28-page ruling issued first thing Thursday by Kane won't guarantee an end to the fight, however.

The governor could still appeal her decision to the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

The impact Kane's ruling might have on other lawsuits in federal and state courts over the NCAA's $60 million fine and other sanctions on Penn State also remains to be seen.