Former Michigan players file multi-million dollar lawsuit vs. BTN, NCAA
Former Michigan players have reportedly entered into a major class-action lawsuit against the Big Ten Network and the NCAA.
According to Angelique Chengelis with The Detroit News, a group of 4 former Wolverines have filed a class-action lawsuit seeking more than $50 million. The suit claims the group was “unlawfully denied” making money from their name, image and likeness.
The group of ex-Wolverines includes Braylon Edwards, Denard Robinson, Mike Martin and Shawn Crable, all players who played for Michigan prior to 2016. The suit is intended to “right a wrong perpetuated on college athletes for decades” prior to the introduction of NIL laws.
Four former Michigan football players file $50M lawsuit against Big Ten Network, NCAA https://t.co/RkgJwNRMCE via @detroitnews
— angelique (@chengelis) September 10, 2024
“This not a suit against the University of Michigan,” attorney Jim Acho told The Detroit News. “None of the many former players wanted to sue UM and neither did I. It is the NCAA that perpetuated this wrong for decades. They knew it was wrong to prevent players from capitalizing on the most valuable thing they have — their name and image. That has been rectified for current players, but the NCAA needs to correct the wrongs of the past. Today is the day for recompense.”
The introduction of NIL laws have greatly shaped the current and future landscape of college sports. Now, it may also result in some organizations having to pay up following the amateur rules of the past.