Michigan Players Take Legal Action Against NCAA and Big Ten Network
In Ann Arbor, four former players from the University of Michigan are making headlines as they have filed a class action lawsuit against the NCAA and the Big Ten Network. The players, which include former quarterback Denard Robinson and wide receiver Braylon Edwards, are seeking more than $50 million in damages. They claim they were “wrongfully and unlawfully denied” the chance to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
The lawsuit is grounded in the argument that the NCAA and Big Ten Network have “systematically exploited these iconic moments” that these athletes created during their time at Michigan. The lawsuit specifically targets players who played before 2016, as it is only since 2021 that college athletes have had the ability to profit from their NIL.
The NCAA has not commented publicly on the lawsuit. However, it is important to note that in May, a significant settlement was reached involving the NCAA, its power conferences, and attorneys representing Division I athletes. This settlement, which aimed to resolve three major antitrust lawsuits, saw the defendants agreeing to pay around $2.7 billion in damages. Athletes who played from 2016 onwards are eligible for compensation.
According to the plaintiffs’ attorney, Jim Acho, the NCAA has known for years that preventing players from making money off their own names was both “wrong and unlawful.” He pointed out, “The money made off those players’ backs was in the hundreds of millions… The players never saw a dime.” Acho also stated, “We are here to right that wrong.”
The lawsuit also includes former Michigan defensive end Mike Martin and linebacker Shawn Crable. Robinson, who was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2010, and Edwards, the 2004 winner of the Biletnikoff Award for being the top wide receiver, are prominent figures in Michigan football history, and their attempts to seek justice for past players have gained significant attention.
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