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Patriots Could Reportedly Sue Bill Belichick, North Carolina Over School’s Ban

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 2:43 PM ET

It’s clear that Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots don’t like one another after the two sides mutually parted ways two season ago.

But the bad blood between the current North Carolina Tar Heels head coach and his former employer was escalated over the last few days after Belichick banned Patriots scouts from UNC facilities.

Belichick told reporters he was actually banned from the Patriots’ facilities first, which led to his decision to return the favor.

“It’s clear I’m not welcome around their facility,” Belichick said on Friday. “So they aren’t welcome at ours. It’s pretty simple.”

But despite those claims, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio recently reported Belichick is mistaken, pointing to Belichick’s invitation to speak at Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame enshrinement and the fact that owner Robert Kraft is on record stating a statue of Belichick will be erected outside of Gilette Stadium in Foxborough after his coaching career is over.

Regardless of which side is telling the truth, Florio also pointed out that Belichick’s decision to not allow Patriots scouts at his school could expose himself and UNC to potential legal action for violating the U.S. Constitution.

“Belichick works for a state institution,” Florio wrote. “He’s subject to the legal requirements that apply to any other state actor. The biggest potential problem for Belichick is the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“Although North Carolina practices and facilities are not generally open to the public, access to those who legitimately require it cannot be limited in a discriminatory fashion. Basically, if Belichick is going to let one team in, he has to let every team in. And if he’s going to ban one team, he has to ban all of them.”

Florio also stated the Patriots could gain back access to North Carolina’s facility through a court order, and the team could also recover attorneys’ fees if it chose legal action.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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