Federal Judge Dismisses $50M NIL Lawsuit by Former Michigan Football Players

A class-action lawsuit filed by over 300 former Michigan football players, including Denard Robinson, Braylon Edwards, Mike Martin, and Shawn Crable, seeking more than $50 million over the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) without compensation, has been dismissed by U.S. District Judge Terrence G. Berg. The plaintiffs alleged that the NCAA, Big Ten Network, and Big Ten Conference conspired to deny them NIL opportunities before the 2016 NIL policy change, claiming that their NIL rights had been used in broadcasts, merchandise, and other media without their consent. The dismissal was based primarily on the statute of limitations for antitrust claims, which is four years, and the fact that the players last competed decades ago, making their claims time-barred. Their attorney, Jim Acho, plans to appeal the ruling to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and emphasized that many landmark sports law cases have required appellate rulings. This dismissal follows similar rulings in other NIL-related lawsuits filed by former athletes, including those from Ohio State and other schools. While the 2024 House v. NCAA settlement allows athletes who played after June 15, 2016, to receive compensation, those who played before this date are currently excluded from such benefits, fueling the plaintiffs' claims and ongoing legal challenges.