Ed O'Bannon vs the NCAA- Time for the NCAA to pay up for using a player's likeness?

[SoL]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...-vs--NCAA.html
^very interesting article.

and for those of you too lazy to read, o'bannon is not suggesting they pay current student athletes, but rather compensating former athletes if the ncaa continues to use their image (like in video games, jerseys, etc).

[Blade23]

Interesting article. I don't follow too much basketball, but I do like to watch college basketball during March Madness....didn't he have a brother named Charles O'Bannon?

I agree with O'Bannon to a certain extent. I certainly don't believe that college athletes should receive payments while in school, as their form of payment comes in scholarships/free education. However, I do agree that the NCAA should not benefit upon these athletes financially by using their likeness. The money made based upon these athletes' likeness should come back to the university and/or athlete in some fashion.

[Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by SoL

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...-vs--NCAA.html
^very interesting article.

and for those of you too lazy to read, o'bannon is not suggesting they pay current student athletes, but rather compensating former athletes if the ncaa continues to use their image (like in video games, jerseys, etc).

Very interesting article SoL.

I really want to digest this situation and come up with a well thought out response but I'll just give some initial thoughts until then.

I can understand former athletes wanting to receive some sort of compensation for their likeness. For the major college names who go on to great professional success, something like this probably doesn't cross their minds. However, I can understand someone like Ed O'Bannon wanting to cash in on his likeness. We joked about him in our "lackluster" nba players thread, but he was a pretty big deal back at UCLA. If he feels like his image or likeness is being used to make money for someone other than himself, then he should try to obtain legal remedy. He is no longer bound by "amatuer" status so this is a worthwhile pursuit. I have no legal background so I wonder how successful he'll be.

BTW, I wonder if the NCAA will start asking schools to issue "image waiver" agreements along with their scholarships that essentially make college athletes sign over the right to their college images. Not sure if that would be legal, but it crossed my mind.

[SoL]

Originally Posted by Blade23

....didn't he have a brother named Charles O'Bannon?

yeah, and charles actually had a longer pro career, but ed was the man.

and if he wins this case (which there is a good chance he will) this will apply to any ncaa sport. is the end of players on the cover of EA Sport college games?

[Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by SoL

yeah, and charles actually had a longer pro career, but ed was the man.

and if he wins this case (which there is a good chance he will) this will apply to any ncaa sport. is the end of players on the cover of EA Sport college games?

Nah...they'll probably just pony up and cut a check to the coverboy. They use guys who are no longer in college anyway. wait on second thought, doesn't EA pay the cover athletes now?? if not then damn all the past cover athletes were getting mucked over for a minute.

edit:worst case scenario.....Coaches will be the new coverboys.

[Son of Repoman]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

Nah...they'll probably just pony up and cut a check to the coverboy. They use guys who are no longer in college anyway. wait on second thought, doesn't EA pay the cover athletes now?? if not then damn all the past cover athletes were getting mucked over for a minute.

edit:worst case scenario.....Coaches will be the new coverboys.

Or Mascots *cringes*

[Brooklyn]

I mark for Otto. Make him the coverboy for NCAA Football 2012!! Fear The Orange
http://www.flickr.com/photos/inflata...es/3697633989/
Somebody who has skills with photoshop...make it happen.

[TheAman]

They did use a mascot for one version in 09, the Michigan State Spartan if I'm not mistaken.

However, this could be a really interesting case. On the one hand, yes, they are getting compensated by way of Tuition, room, board, etc. Which in some places can be up to $200K. However, it's absurd how much money schools make off of these athletes. When you're selling their jerseys for $80, whether their names are on it or not, it's a bit absurd not to compensate them, particularly when they are already graduated.

This honestly could change college athletics as we know it.