Athletes Lawyer

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Reggie Bush launches new legal battle

On Behalf of | Oct 25, 2024 | Current Events |

Reggie Bush had his 2005 Heisman Trophy and college records restored earlier this year. Considering the controversies that led to their forfeiture in 2010, it was a significant moment and Bush lobbied hard to get it. This restoration was a pivotal step in acknowledging Bush’s contributions to college football as a generational talent and rectifying past decisions that many viewed as unjust.

The new lawsuit

On September 23, Bush and his legal team filed a lawsuit against the University of Southern California (USC), the NCAA, and the Pac-12 Conference. The core of this lawsuit revolves around the compensation for his name, image and likeness (NIL) during his college career.

Bush’s legal team asserts that the NCAA, USC, and the Pac-12 Conference exploited his NIL rights, benefiting financially from his athletic performance and popularity while he received nothing in return. According to the plaintiffs, this lawsuit is not just about financial compensation but also about setting a precedent for fair treatment and recognition of college athletes. Bush’s case highlights the treatment of college athletes in the past and the need for systemic changes to ensure they are also rightfully compensated for their contributions.

In recent years, the NIL changes recognize the substantial revenue some athletes generate for their institutions and the NCAA. Bush’s team claims that the lawsuit aims to address past wrongs and ensure that future athletes do not face the same exploitation.

Bush argues that NIL is not just for current college athletes

Bush’s legal battle is part of a broader effort to rectify alleged past injustices he faced during his college career. In addition to seeking compensation for his NIL, Bush is also pursuing a separate defamation lawsuit against the NCAA. This lawsuit stems from the NCAA’s 2021 characterization of the circumstances that led to Bush’s forfeiture of his Heisman Trophy and records. Bush argues that the NCAA’s defamatory statements further damaged his reputation.

The outcome of Bush’s lawsuit could have far-reaching implications. If successful, it could pave the way for other former athletes to seek compensation for their NIL and further challenge the NCAA’s historical practices. It could also prompt more significant reforms in how college athletes are treated and compensated, ensuring a more equitable system for future generations.

Part of a growing movement

Bush is the latest former college athlete to seek compensation through the courts this year for their prior athletic careers under the new rules in college athletics. Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards were among several former Michigan stars who sued the NCAA and the Big Ten Network earlier this month. In June, ten players on NC State’s 1983 NCAA championship-winning basketball team sued the NCAA and the Collegiate Licensing Company to seek compensation for using their names, images and likenesses.

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