NC State 1983 Basketball Team Loses NIL Lawsuit Against NCAA

A North Carolina judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by members of the 1983 NC State men’s basketball team, known as the 'Cardiac Pack,' who sought compensation for the use of their names, images, and likenesses (NIL) by the NCAA. The players argued that the NCAA profited for decades from their publicity rights without payment, especially through the continued use of highlights from their NCAA tournament victories. However, Judge Mark A. Davis ruled that the claims were barred by the four-year antitrust statute of limitations and were preempted by federal copyright law, finding that a continuing violation exemption did not apply. The NCAA had requested dismissal, citing similar recent cases that were also rejected by courts. The players’ lawyer, Stacy Miller, framed the lawsuit as a fight against systemic exploitation of student athletes, though the ruling effectively ended their attempt to claim NIL compensation for the historic 1983 championship run. This case marks the third dismissal this year of older NIL-related lawsuits targeting the NCAA's use of former athletes' images and likenesses.