Reggie Bush is suing the University of Southern California, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA for compensation for the use of his name, image and likeness while he was a college athlete.
“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said in a statement Monday. “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 for their contributions.”
The filing claims that USC, the conference and the NCAA financially benefited from Bush’s “significant popularity” and “prominence” during and after his time with the Trojans’ football program, with whom he won the 2004 BCS national championship and the 2005 Heisman Trophy.
Bush notably forfeited his Heisman in 2010 amid reports that the Heisman Trust would revoke it after USC was hit with major NCAA sanctions because Bush and his family received improper financial benefits during his time there.
With athletes now allowed to capitalize on their NIL rights, Bush asked for the award to be reinstated. The Heisman Trust obliged this past April, acknowledging the “enormous changes” to the world of college football.
Bush has not been associated with USC for most of the time between the sanctions and the present day. He was on the sideline for the Trojans’ season-opening win over LSU in Las Vegas.
“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,” said Levi G. McCathern II, another one of Bush’s attorneys. “However, the delay in fixing this speaks volumes.”
–Field Level Media