An NFL wide receiver is suing the NCAA for using his name, image, and likeness without proper compensation, a move that could encourage other professional stars to follow suit.
Lawsuit Filed Against NCAA and Conferences
Detroit Lions star Jameson Williams filed the lawsuit against the NCAA, the Big Ten Conference, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in Los Angeles County, as first reported by the California Post. According to court documents, Williams accuses the three sports bodies of using his name, image, and likeness without fair compensation.
In 2019 and 2020, Williams was a standout wide receiver at Ohio State, which competes in the Big Ten, before finishing his college career at SEC powerhouse Alabama in 2021. The NCAA did not adopt NIL rules until July 2021, during Williams' final season of college sports before he turned professional and was selected 12th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Seeking Injunction and Damages
Williams is seeking an injunction barring the three entities from using his image 'for financial or any similar gain or reason without his consent and compensation.' The lawsuit states: 'To date, Williams has received no fair compensation from Defendants for the full commercial value of his name, image, and likeness. Defendants continuously financially benefit from Jameson Williams' name, image, and likeness rights, while also doing so without providing him with just compensation.'
Williams is seeking 'the social media earnings that [he] would have received but for Defendants' unlawful conduct' as well as a share of 'the game telecast group licensing revenue' that the NCAA, SEC, and Big Ten earned, in part, due to his success on the field. He claims that restrictions from the NCAA, Big Ten, and SEC prevented him from selling his name, image, and likeness rights and that the defendants continue to use his NIL through social media posts and highlight packages.
'Plaintiff received less — zero — than he otherwise would have received for the use of his name, image, and likeness in a competitive marketplace, and was thus damaged, and seeks to recover those damages,' the lawsuit asserts.
Legal Basis and Career Highlights
The wide receiver is suing for violations of the Cartwright Act, the Unfair Practices Act, the Lanham Act, and the Sherman Antitrust Act. Williams is coming off a career-best professional season, having recorded 65 catches for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns.
