Former USC running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush has filed a lawsuit against the university, the Pac-12 and the NCAA, seeking compensation for his name, image and likeness during his time with the program.
In the filing, Bush's legal team says that the three organizations earned significant compensation thanks to Bush's "significant popularity" and "prominence" by way of TV contracts, merchandise sales and media rights.
Bush's attorneys also said in a release that even after he left USC to play in the NFL, the three entities continued to benefit financially from his reputation "without any acknowledgment of his contribution."
"This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush," Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said. "It's about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly or their contributions."
If one of these lawsuits is won then it will open the flood gates for an endless amount of others to follow.
In the filing, Bush's legal team says that the three organizations earned significant compensation thanks to Bush's "significant popularity" and "prominence" by way of TV contracts, merchandise sales and media rights.
Bush's attorneys also said in a release that even after he left USC to play in the NFL, the three entities continued to benefit financially from his reputation "without any acknowledgment of his contribution."
"This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush," Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said. "It's about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly or their contributions."
If one of these lawsuits is won then it will open the flood gates for an endless amount of others to follow.
