Reggie Bush, the former USC running back who regained his 2005 Heisman Award in April, is suing the NCAA, USC and the Pac-12, seeking compensation for the use of his name, image and likeness during his tenure with the program.
In the lawsuit, filed Monday, Bush’s attorneys allege that all three entities made a lot of money off the running back, who was a huge star while playing for the Trojans. They cite television contracts, merchandise sales and media rights as just three of the revenue streams that influenced Bush’s popularity.
“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said in a statement. “It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to right this wrong and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly.” [for] their contributions.”
Bush played for USC from 2003 to 2005 and became one of the most popular and recognizable athletes in the country. He won the Heisman in 2005 after rushing for 1,740 yards and 18 touchdowns, but it, like USC’s 2004 national championship, was stripped from him in 2010 after an NCAA investigation found violations of the NCAA’s rules regarding impermissible advantages.
That stripped Heisman Trophy was returned to Bush after 14 years. Bush had also re-engaged with USC after they re-hung his retired No. 5 jersey at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a tradition for USC Heisman winners.
“We appreciate that the new USC administration is trying to pick up the pieces of the previous administrations’ unjust and improper treatment of Reggie Bush,” Levi G. McCathern, II, another Bush attorney, said via ESPN. “The delay in resolving this, however, speaks volumes.”
