Paolo Uggetti, ESPN
Former USC operating again and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush has filed a lawsuit against the college, the Pac-12 and the NCAA, searching for compensation for his identify, picture and likeness throughout his time with this system.
In the submitting, Bush's authorized group says that the three organizations earned important compensation due to Bush's “significant popularity” and “prominence” by the use of TV contracts, merchandise gross sales and media rights.
Bush's attorneys additionally stated in a launch that even after he left USC to play within the NFL, the three entities continued to profit financially from his repute “without any acknowledgment of his contribution.”
“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, one of many attorneys representing Bush, stated. “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.”
USC and the Pac-12 didn't instantly return requests from ESPN for touch upon Bush's lawsuit.
In three seasons at USC, Bush grew to become one of the crucial prolific school gamers of his period. His 1,740 dashing yards and 18 whole touchdowns throughout his junior season resulted in him profitable the Heisman Trophy that 12 months. That Heisman, nevertheless, was forfeited in 2010 by each USC and Bush as a result of NCAA violations surrounding impermissible advantages.
USC additionally needed to vacate the 2004 nationwide title — the primary time a serious school soccer program was stripped of a nationwide championship. The NCAA additionally stripped USC of victories in 14 video games that Bush performed, together with that BCS title blowout victory over Oklahoma.
As a outcome, Bush was not related to the varsity in any approach till just lately.
The adoption of identify, picture and likeness compensation for present school athletes in 2021 prompted motion from Bush and his authorized group. He started lobbying for his trophy to be returned and Bush filed a separate, ongoing lawsuit against the NCAA for defamation after a spokesman claimed that Bush was concerned in “pay-for-play arrangements.”
Earlier this 12 months, the Heisman Trust reinstated Bush's award, citing “enormous changes in the college football landscape,” which led to Bush and USC turning into reacquainted. His retired No. 5 jersey — which had been faraway from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum peristyle after the NCAA sanctions had been handed down — was introduced again and displayed at USC's residence opener this season.
“We appreciate that the new administration at USC is trying to pick up the pieces of the former administrations' unjust and improper handling of Reggie Bush,” Levi G. McCathern, II, one other considered one of Bush's attorneys, stated. “However, the delay in fixing this speaks volumes.”
Bush and USC had additionally been in reported talks to have him lead the group out of the tunnel for a recreation this season.
