Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Will NCAA Likeness Lawsuit Change College Sports?
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: June 21, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon is going after the National Collegiate Athletic Association and several companies that license college sports merchandise and video games in a likeness lawsuit for using players’ likenesses without permission or compensation. O’Bannon and other athletes named in the suit argue that it’s unfair for them to sign away the rights to their images in order to be eligible to compete in college athletics.
In anticipation of an upcoming key hearing on the matter, many sports analysts are wondering how the end result will impact the NCAA sports industry.
For several years, sports enthusiasts have argued about whether players should be compensated when their images or likenesses are used to promote university athletics, school merchandise, video games, and magazines. The schools themselves, sponsors and NCAA rake in billions of dollars as a result, and some argue that it’s unfair to athletes who are not compensated for their work. On the flip side, athletes often receive full scholarships, training from renowned coaches and national exposure than can lead to lucrative professional talent agreements with sports teams. Given these opposing arguments, the ruling in the O’Bannon case may very well change the scope of amateurism in college sports, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Namely, the NCAA stands to lose billions of dollars in revenue should the use of players’ likenesses be banned, the results of which could heavily impact the way in which the NCAA operates. For example, Wake Forest President Nathan Hatch, who also chairs the NCAA Division I board, told Bloomberg News that if the school was forced to share revenue with players, it may be forced to slash its budget for other non-revenue sports.
However, O’Bannon retorted that given the amount of money being made in the industry, there is enough to go around without compromising NCAA sports.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
IP Infringement: What Steps Can You Take If You're Affected?
IP infringement occurs when someone uses your intellectual property without your permission or beyond the scope of the permission you granted. Common examples of IP infringement include copying a product’s patented features or using a trademarked logo in a way that is likely to confuse consumers about the source or affiliation of goods or services. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Public Allegations, Unfinished Investigation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Do Next
When facing public allegations of wrongdoing, companies should not let the speed of the public conversation dictate the speed of an investigation. An investigation designed to confirm a preferred narrative rather than establish the facts can create serious problems later, particularly if litigation, regulatory scrutiny, or employment claims follow. Key Takeaways When public allegations surface […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
BESS Interconnection: Managing Grid, Cost, and Schedule Risk
For battery energy storage system (BESS) developers, securing equipment and site control is only part of the development equation. A project must also connect to the electric grid, and increasingly, BESS interconnection is one of the biggest sources of schedule, cost, and contractual risk. Key Takeaways This article is Part 3 of our Battery Storage […]
Author: Nicholas Wall
Navigating Director and Officer Liability in Times of Financial Distress
Director and officer liability increases sharply when a company is in financial distress. Decisions that would draw little attention in a healthy business can later be challenged by creditors, shareholders, bankruptcy trustees, and regulators as breaches of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfers, or oversight failures. Understanding where that exposure comes from, and how to manage it, […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Before You Buy: Managing Real Estate and Permitting Risk for BESS Projects in New York and New Jersey
For developers pursuing battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, finding the right property is only the beginning. BESS site selection is as much a legal and transactional exercise as a real estate decision, with risk analysis central to the project’s ultimate success. Key Takeaways The core questions for BESS site selection in New York and […]
Author: Nicholas Wall
What Business Owners Get Wrong Before Meeting a Litigation Attorney
What should you expect when meeting a litigation attorney about a business dispute? You should expect to describe the dispute in your own words, hand over the most important documents, flag any deadlines or immediate threats, and leave with a clearer picture of the problem, what information is still needed, and the likely next steps. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.