Reggie Bush’s lawsuit against USC, the NCAA, and the Pac-12 is part of a broader movement in college sports seeking compensation for athletes’ name, image, and likeness NIL rights.
Bush’s legal team argues that the star athlete should be compensated for the exploitation of his NIL during his time as a USC football player, two decades before NIL compensation was allowed.
Bush’s case highlights a significant shift in college athletics, especially since the NCAA revised its rules in 2021, allowing athletes to profit from sponsorship and endorsement deals.
Bush, one of the most iconic college football players, had forfeited his Heisman Trophy in 2010 amid NCAA sanctions, though it was recently restored due to evolving attitudes and rules regarding athlete compensation.
This lawsuit could set a legal precedent not only for Bush but for other former college athletes seeking compensation.
Other cases have emerged, including lawsuits from former Michigan stars Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards, and NC State’s 1983 basketball champions, all seeking similar NIL-related compensation.
Bush’s separate defamation lawsuit against the NCAA continues, stemming from how the NCAA portrayed his case in 2021.
His ongoing legal battles reflect unresolved tensions between the NCAA’s past restrictions and the current system that allows athletes to benefit financially from their contributions to college sports.