Menu
Colleges

O'Bannon Petitions To Include Current Players In Lawsuit Against NCAA

Former UCLA F Ed O'Bannon on Friday took his lawsuit against the NCAA regarding the use of former players’ names, images and likenesses “one step further," seeking in a court filing permission to "expand the class action to include current D-I football and men's basketball players,” according to Michael McCann of SI.com. O'Bannon is not asking that current players "be paid while in college," but he wants a "temporary trust set up for monies generated by the licensing and sale of their names, images and likenesses." Players could access the funds “at the completion of their collegiate careers.” Under O'Bannon's proposed trust, when a current player finishes college, they “would receive money for four years' use of his name, image and likeness.” Players "would receive half of the NCAA's broadcasting revenue and one-third of video game revenue, with the remainder of revenue staying with the NCAA, conferences and colleges.” The formula would mean that four-year players "would likely accrue thousands or tens of thousands of dollars -- if not more -- in their trusts." U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathaniel Cousins “will soon hold hearings to determine an appropriate class” for the suit. If Cousins grants O'Bannon's request, "any current or former D-I football or men's basketball player could join the lawsuit.” O'Bannon dismissed the "series of documents student-athletes are required to sign as part of their participation in college sports,” which requires the acceptance of the NCAA's "use of their name, image and licensing.” He calls these forms “'contracts of adhesion' or unenforceable no-choice contracts.” The desired expansion of O'Bannon's lawsuit “may not end with D-I football and men's basketball players." If O'Bannon succeeds, "expect him to eventually go for it all -- a class that would include all current and former D-I athletes” (SI.com, 9/1).

NEW EVIDENCE IN PLAY? ESPN.com’s Tom Farrey noted "no monetary figures" were disclosed in O'Bannon's motion. A source said that the "new angle could deliver ‘hundreds of thousands’ of dollars each year to Division I basketball players.” Football players, who are "more plentiful, could get less." Asked the reason for making a case for current players now, the source said, "Now we have evidence. And so much more has happened since we originally filed our lawsuit -- new media deals, new scandals” (ESPN.com, 9/2).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2012/09/05/Colleges/OBannon-lawsuit.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2012/09/05/Colleges/OBannon-lawsuit.aspx

CLOSE