Former USC Heisman winner Reggie Bush has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, USC and the Pac-12 for “profiting from uncompensated use” of his name, image and likeness.
A press release from McCathern Law did not specify Bush’s claims, saying the suit “aims to address and rectify ongoing injustices stemming from the exploitation of Bush’s NIL during his time at USC.”
“Even after Reggie transitioned to his successful NFL career, these entities continued to benefit financially from his reputation without any acknowledgment of his contribution,” the firm wrote.
The NCAA and Pac-12 are currently co-defendants in several federal antitrust suits on behalf of former athletes seeking compensation for the use of their NIL. In a proposed settlement in House vs. NCAA, a case in Northern California, the NCAA and its members would pay $2.78 billion over 10 years in backpay to the plaintiffs, which comprise athletes that competed in the five years before NIL rules were loosened.
Separately, members of NC State’s 1983 national championship basketball team filed a suit earlier this year on similar grounds.
Bush played at USC from 2003-05, helping the Trojans earn a BCS national championship in 2004 and reach the title game in ’05, the year he won the Heisman. A subsequent NCAA infractions case involving benefits Bush and his family received from potential sports marketers resulted in USC vacating its national championship and Bush losing his Heisman. He was disassociated from USC for 10 years.
Earlier this year, the Heisman Trust restored Bush’s 2005 Heisman due to the changes in college sports that now allow athletes to earn compensation from their NIL activities. USC hung his jersey at the Coliseum next to its other Heisman winners prior to the season opener against Utah State.
(Photo: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
