Los Angeles, CA – Former USC Trojans running back Reggie Bush is taking legal action against the NCAA, the University of Southern California, and the Pac-12 conference. He is seeking compensation for money made from his name, image, and likeness during his time at USC between 2003 and 2005. Bush’s attorney, Evan Selik, emphasized that this lawsuit is meant to correct “ongoing injustices stemming from the exploitation” of Bush’s identity as a college athlete.
Selik noted, “This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush. It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes.” The aim is to create a system where athletes are recognized and compensated fairly for their contributions to college sports.
Bush was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 2005, after an outstanding season where he rushed for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns. However, in 2010, he forfeited this prestigious award due to NCAA sanctions related to his dealings with sports marketers, which violated NCAA rules at the time. In 2021, the NCAA made comments about Bush’s situation that Bush claims were defamatory. He is pursuing a separate lawsuit for that issue as well.
Interestingly, the addition of USC to this current lawsuit has raised eyebrows, as the school previously distanced itself from Bush for nearly a decade due to these controversies. However, with a new administration at USC, Bush’s legal team appreciates the effort to “pick up the pieces” from past mismanagement. Nevertheless, they also express concern over the slow progress in resolving these issues.
In recent developments, Bush was seen leading the Trojans out of the tunnel during a game at the Coliseum this season, and his jersey number #5 has been added to the school’s banners for Heisman winners. Although Bush’s case is notable, he is not alone, as other former athletes like Braylon Edwards and Denard Robinson have also filed lawsuits pertaining to similar issues surrounding name, image, and likeness rights.
As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, Bush’s efforts represent a larger movement towards fair compensation for student-athletes, paving the way for changes that could redefine how athletes are treated in the NCAA.
