Former Michigan football stars Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards, along with other former Wolverines players, have filed a federal class-action antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA and Big Ten Network. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, alleges that the players lost out on over $50 million during their college careers due to the NCAA's previous ban on athletes being compensated for their name, image, and likeness.
The lawsuit represents all Michigan football players who played before 2016 and includes former players Mike Martin and Shawn Crable as plaintiffs. The NCAA and major college conferences are currently working to settle three antitrust lawsuits related to athlete compensation for name, image, and likeness, with a proposed settlement of $2.78 billion in damages for college athletes dating back to 2016.
The NCAA changed its rules in 2021 to allow athletes to profit from their fame through sponsorship and endorsement deals after years of prohibition. However, a federal judge overseeing the cases declined to grant preliminary approval of the settlement agreement last week, citing concerns that need to be addressed by the attorneys.
The Michigan lawsuit seeks to recover the compensation that players like Robinson and Edwards were denied during their playing days. It argues that players should be paid for the highlights and replays of their performances that are still being used by television networks, contributing significantly to the revenue generated by the NCAA and its partners.
Robinson, known for his record-breaking tenure as Michigan's quarterback from 2009-2012, was featured on the cover of the last EA Sports NCAA video game before the series was discontinued due to legal issues surrounding NIL compensation. Edwards, a standout receiver from 2001-2004, is considered one of the greatest in school history.
The lawsuit contends that the NCAA and Big Ten Network profited off the players' talents and the Michigan brand without compensating them appropriately. The players' attorney emphasized the importance of rectifying this situation, calling it both wrong and unlawful.
While Robinson was recently released from his football staff position at the school following a DUI arrest, Edwards went on to have a successful career in the NFL after being a first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns. Martin and Crable, who also joined the lawsuit, played key roles for the Wolverines during their respective tenures.
It remains uncertain whether the approval of the NCAA's settlement agreement will impact this new lawsuit, but the attorney leading the case believes it is essential to pursue justice for the affected players without delay.
