Ex-College Players Sue NCAA Over NIL Use

Sixteen former college basketball players, including Kansas stars Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins, have filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA and several conferences for the unauthorized use of their names, images, and likenesses (NIL) in March Madness promotional content. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, also targets the Big East, Pac-12, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC, and Turner Sports Interactive. The plaintiffs allege they were not compensated for the use of their NIL in highlight videos and advertisements, despite the NCAA generating substantial revenue from these materials. The lawsuit claims that the NCAA and its partners have systematically exploited athletes' publicity rights, violating federal antitrust laws. This legal action follows similar complaints by other former NCAA athletes, highlighting ongoing disputes over NIL rights predating recent rule changes allowing athletes to profit from their NIL.