Sixteen former men’s college basketball players, including Kansas stars Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins, have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and several conferences. The lawsuit alleges that the NCAA and its affiliates have profited from the unauthorized use of their names, images, and likenesses during the March Madness tournament. The players claim that they have not been compensated for their contributions to the tournament, which generates close to $1 billion in annual revenue.
The lawsuit accuses the NCAA of conspiring with conferences, colleges, licensing companies, and apparel companies to exploit student-athletes by keeping their compensation near zero. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages for the NCAA’s alleged illegal conduct, which has allegedly diminished their ability to maximize their compensation for publicity rights related to basketball.
The NCAA spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit, which comes at a time when the organization is facing significant legal challenges to its longstanding amateurism model. Recent changes allowing athletes to earn endorsement money have opened up new revenue opportunities for athletes, and a settlement reached between the NCAA and major conferences could lead to direct payments to athletes in the near future.
Other former players involved in the lawsuit include Ryan Boatright, A.J. Bramlett, Eugene Edgerson, Jason Terry, James Cunningham, Alex Oriakhi, and Matt Pressey. The lawsuit signals a growing movement among athletes to challenge the NCAA’s treatment of student-athletes and seek fair compensation for their contributions to collegiate sports.
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