Reggie Bush files NIL lawsuit against USC, Pac-12, NCAA

Former USC star running back and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush filed a lawsuit against USC, the Pac-12 Conference and NCAA, seeking compensation for name, image and likeness used without permission.

Bush’s Heisman Trophy was reinstated this past April after the running back forfeited his trophy in 2010 in the wake of significant NCAA sanctions for USC. But with major changes to the college landscape, the running back received his Heisman.

Now he is filing a lawsuit looking for NIL compensation. Bush is arguing he should be paid dollars for the compensation he produced for USC, Pac-12 and NCAA off television contracts, merchandise sales and media rights. The former star never received dollars from USC for playing. CBS first reported the news.

“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said. “It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly or their contributions.”

The suit from Bush was filed while the NCAA works on settling the House v. NCAA case – a settlement that would dramatically reshape college athletics.

The House settlement, if approved, would allow schools to share $20 to $23 million annually with athletes. Roughly $2.77 billion in back damages will also be paid out to former athletes for lost revenue sharing and NIL opportunities. Athletes at any time eligible for competition from June 15, 2016, through Sept. 15, 2024, will receive payments.

Reggie Bush averaged 8.5 yards per touch from scrimmage over his USC career, including rushing for 1,740 yards and 8.7 yards per carry on 200 carries in 2005. He accounted for 42 career touchdowns over three seasons – 25 rushing, 13 receiving and four on special teams returns.

Bush’s complaint comes after Mario Chalmers and 15 other former NCAA Tournament stars filed a suit against the NCAA, the nation’s top six basketball conferences and Turner Sports Interactive in July. And 10 players from the 1983 N.C. State national championship team got the ball rolling by suing the NCAA and the Collegiate Licensing Company for using their NIL without their permission in June.

Former Michigan stars Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards have filed a class action suit against the NCAA and Big Ten Network earlier this month.

The former USC running back has another ongoing lawsuit against the NCAA for defamation after a spokesman claimed he was involved in “pay-for-play.”