A group of former University of Michigan football players filed a proposed class action lawsuit on Tuesday, seeking more than $50 million in damages. The lawsuit accuses the NCAA and Big Ten Network of unlawfully profiting from athletes’ names, images, and likenesses (NIL) over decades without compensation.
NCAA $50M NIL Suit : Allegations of Exploitation
The suit, filed in Michigan federal court, represents all former Michigan football players whose NILs were used for commercial gain before June 15, 2016. Named plaintiffs include former Michigan stars Denard Robinson, Braylon Edwards, Michael Martin, and Shawn Crable.
The complaint alleges that the NCAA engaged in a scheme with conferences, colleges, and commercial entities to exploit athletes’ NILs without compensation. “The NCAA has conspired… to fix the price of student-athlete labor near zero,” the lawsuit claims. It asserts that players were made “unwitting and uncompensated lifetime pitchmen” for the NCAA.
NCAA $50M NIL Suit : Legal Claims
The suit centers on claims of unreasonable restraint of trade, conspiracy to restrict trade, and unjust enrichment. It accuses the NCAA and Big Ten of capitalizing on college football players’ “memorable plays and pivotal moments” in broadcasts, promotions, and merchandise sales.
