Former Michigan football players Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and the Big Ten Network, alleging they lost millions of dollars during their college careers due to the NCAA’s former ban on athletes being compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
The federal class-action antitrust lawsuit, filed on Monday in the Eastern District of Michigan, represents all Michigan football players who played before 2016. The lawsuit also includes former Wolverines players Mike Martin and Shawn Crable as plaintiffs.
The NCAA and major college conferences are currently attempting to resolve three antitrust lawsuits related to athlete compensation for NIL. A settlement agreement is in place to provide $2.78 billion in damages to numerous college athletes, with compensation dating back to 2016.
The NCAA’s rules changed in 2021 to permit athletes to earn money through sponsorship and endorsement deals, ending decades of prohibition.
Recently, a federal judge overseeing these cases declined to grant preliminary approval of the settlement deal, sending it back to attorneys to address concerns with certain aspects of the agreement.
The Michigan lawsuit seeks to recover what notable players like Robinson and Edwards were denied during their playing days. It argues that players should be compensated for the highlights and replays of their performances still used by television networks.
“These iconic moments have been repeatedly shown and replayed on BTN (Big Ten Network) and related networks, helping continue the fascination and passion of the sport. They have significantly contributed to the revenue generated by the NCAA and its partners,” the lawsuit states.
Denard Robinson, who played quarterback for Michigan from 2009-12 and earned the nickname Shoelace for his untied cleats, was recently let go from his football staff position at the school after an arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Braylon Edwards, a wide receiver from 2001-04 and considered one of the greatest in Michigan history, was an All-American and a first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns.
Mike Martin played defensive line for the Wolverines from 2008-11, and Shawn Crable played linebacker from 2003-07.
