By Ralph Russo | New York Times
Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor sued his alma mater, the NCAA and the Big Ten over denied compensation for name, image and likeness during his college career, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in an Ohio federal court.
Pryor’s lawsuit comes on the heels of former USC star and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush filing a similar suit against his former school and the NCAA, and several former Michigan players targeting the NCAA and Big Ten Network.
“For many years and continuing to the present, the Defendants have systematically and intentionally misappropriated the publicity rights and NIL of the Plaintiffs and those similarly situated and in doing so have reaped millions, and perhaps billions, of dollars from the Plaintiffs and the class,” the lawsuit said.
“Terrelle Pryor’s lawsuit against Ohio State, the NCAA, and the Big Ten is part of a growing wave of legal challenges from high-profile athletes over denied NIL compensation. Alongside Reggie Bush and former Michigan players, Pryor’s case highlights how major names in college sports are stepping forward to challenge the long-standing NCAA rules that profited off their talents without allowing them to benefit. The lawsuit underscores how organizations continue to profit from past players’ achievements, while those same athletes were punished for attempting to capitalize on their own NIL. As more big-name athletes join the fight, the push for retroactive compensation is gaining momentum and could significantly impact the NCAA’s approach to compensating former players.”
-George Finn, Rose Law Group senior transactional attorney who handles NIL deals for athletes
