Jameson Williams lawsuit, explained: Why Lions WR is suing the NCAA, Big Ten and SEC over NIL compensation originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Jameson Williams’ college football career ended five years ago. He still has the sport — and its governing bodies — in his sights.
On Monday, the Lions wideout formally sued the NCAA, Big Ten and SEC. The suit, filed in Los Angeles County, according to the California Post, alleges that the three entities have failed to pay Williams despite using his name, image and likeness.
Fresh off of back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, Williams has established himself as one of the NFL’s better pass-catchers. Before that, though, he was a collegian, setting off fireworks in Ohio State and Alabama colors.
After years of waiting, Williams is looking to collect the just rewards for his on-field production. He claims, among other things, that the NCAA, Big Ten and SEC prevented him from accessing those profits during his college career.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Jameson Williams lawsuit, explained
Court documents obtained by the Post show that Williams wants a cut of revenue he would have received “but for the defendants’ unlawful conduct.” He also wants a portion of the “game telecast group licensing revenue” that the NCAA, Big Ten, and SEC earned off the back of his on-field-exploits.
In addition to financial compensation, Williams is also seeking an injunction against the defendants preventing them from using his name, image and likeness without his consent or compensation.
“To date, Williams has received no fair compensation from Defendants for the full commercial value of his name, image, and likeness,” Williams’ lawsuit states, per The Post. “Defendants continuously financially benefit from Jameson Williams’ name, image and likeness rights, while also doing so without providing him with just compensation.”
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Why is Jameson Williams suing the NCAA?
Williams played for the Buckeyes from 2019-20. He joined the Crimson Tide in 2021, tallying 79 catches for 1,571 yards and 15 touchdowns. NIL wasn’t codified into law until the summer of 2021, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the NCAA in NCAA vs. Alston.
Williams argues that the NCAA, Big Ten and SEC prevented him from receiving his just rewards from personal NIL. He is formally suing the three for violating the Cartwright Act, Unfair Practices Act, Sherman Antitrust Act and Lanham Act, according to the California Post.
“Plaintiff received less — zero — than he otherwise would have received for the use of his name, image, and likeness in a competitive marketplace, and was thus damaged, and seeks to recover those damages,” Williams’ lawsuit states, per the California Post.
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