The U.S. Supreme Court levied its latest decision in the on-going “player likeness” suit, denying the NCAA the right to intervene in settlement talks between former college athletes and EA Sports and the Collegiate Licensing Company.
The athletes, led by former Arizona State quarterback Sam Keller, sued the NCAA, EA Sports as well as the CLC for using and profiting from their images. A federal appeals court sided with the plaintiffs and then EA Sports attempted to appeal with the Supreme Court. Ultimately, EA Sports and CLC settled, essentially leaving the NCAA peeved and out of the discussion.
“The Court’s action today was disappointing,” said former Solicitor General Seth P. Waxman, representing the NCAA. “But it is extremely rare for the court to grant a motion to intervene.”
It’s just one more negative as the attention on the NCAA continues to mount.
As sports legal expert Michael McCann noted, Monday’s decision helps the plaintiffs in the on-going O’Bannon case as well.
@YesThatBrooke Key legal impact: removes one potential hurdle for O'Bannon (that NCAA could undo the settlement between O'Bannon & EA/CLC).
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) January 14, 2014
On top of the legal wrangling as fallout from this lawsuit, CBSSports.com’s Dennis Dodd elaborated on how the NCAA may view the ongoing concussion crisis throughout all levels of football.
