Former USC running back Reggie Bush is suing USC, the Pac-12 and the National Collegiate Athletic Association for using his name, image and likeness without compensation, his legal team said Monday.
In the filing, Bush’s attorneys claim all three organizations received the benefits from television contracts, merchandise sales and media rights linked to the Heisman winner’s football career, according to CBS Sports. The suit alleges Bush was not compensated for these revenue streams resulting from his “significant popularity” and “prominence,” during his time with the Trojans, according to ESPN.
“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, a lawyer representing Bush, said in a statement to CBS Sports. “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 for their contributions.”
During Bush’s college career, the NCAA prohibited college athletes from profiting from their name, image and likeness. However, the organization updated its policy in 2021 to allow students to receive compensation for their NIL following a Supreme Court case that ruled that limiting education-related compensation violated the Sherman Act.
Bush played for USC from 2003 to 2005, winning two national titles and the Heisman Trophy. However, Bush forfeited his Heisman and his collegiate records were vacated in 2010 after an NCAA investigation found the running back received financial benefits during his college football career that were against NCAA rules at the time. Following the investigation, the NCAA also stripped USC of its 2004 national title and 14 victories from games that Bush played in, among other sanctions.
The Heisman Trust returned Bush’s Heisman Trophy earlier this year, but the NCAA said it will not restore Bush’s records. Following his college career, Bush played 11 years in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints in 2010.
Bush is involved in a separate ongoing defamation lawsuit against the NCAA after a spokesperson for the for the organization said it would not consider restoring Bush’s college records due to his involvement in a “pay-for-play” arrangement while at USC.
In a filing against the NCAA, Bush’s legal team said the organization’s claim was “completely false and highly offensive,” and damaging to the former Trojan’s reputation.
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of high-profile legal disputes concerning NIL rights. The NCAA voted in May to approve a settlement for three antitrust class action lawsuits to provide more than $2.7 billion in back pay to college athletes who were unable to profit from their NIL rights prior to 2021.
Bush’s representatives and USC did not respond to requests for comment.