U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken splits the baby in half.
College athletes are allowed to challenge the NCAA’s current amateurism rules, but cannot seek potentially billions of dollars in damages for appearing in past television broadcasts, a federal judge ruled today.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken partially granted class-action status in the Ed O’Bannon lawsuit over the use of college athletes’ names, images and likenesses. The decision could change the concept of amateurism in college sports, but stops short of widespread past damages O’Bannon’s lawyers had sought.
Wilken granted certification for the plaintiffs to pursue an injunction barring the NCAA from prohibiting current and former athletes from entering into group licensing deals for use of their names, images and likenesses in video games and TV broadcasts. However, Wilken denied the bid for a class to seek monetary damages from the NCAA that would have involved lucrative television money.
Both sides claimed victories from the ruling.
This is your basic “gentlemen, get your collective heads out of your asses and settle this thing, because I guarantee one of you isn’t going to be very happy where this winds up if it goes to court” ruling. Unfortunately, anal-cranial extraction isn’t one of Mark Emmert’s strong suits, so you have to wonder if even at this late date the NCAA is going to snatch the lifeline it’s being thrown by Judge Wilken. My advice would be not to hold your breath while you’re waiting.
At least Greg McGarity won’t have to lose any sleep over his precious the reserve fund being garnished for past damages. So there’s that.
Get The Picture 