A recently filed antitrust lawsuit can potentially determine how much colleges can pay athletes. Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today reported that the NCAA has been sued for the same in over 17 states. 

“A new antitrust lawsuit has been filed against the NCAA in federal court that seeks to lift restrictions on what colleges pay players in revenue-sharing in 17 states,” the June 9 report stated.

The 17 states where the lawsuit is filed are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

The House vs. NCAA antitrust lawsuit ruled the NCAA has to pay $2.8 billion in back damages to college athletes who competed from 2016 through 2025. This has to be done over the next 10 years.

This ruling answered three federal lawsuits claiming the NCAA was limiting student-athlete payments. The new lawsuit alleges that the limitation violates the law in states with legislation about NIL payments of student-athletes.  It is seeking relief for college players impacted by the rule. 

“Defendants’ coordinated decision to implement these restrictions in violation of these states’ NIL laws...was not authorized by the Court,” the lawsuit contends. “If not for the Agreement, there would be vigorous competition in the NIL Rights States to pay college athletes in those states for their NIL rights. The [House settlement agreement] has thus unlawfully restrained competition, in violation of both federal antitrust law and California state law.” 

Who Are The Plaintiffs That Filed The Lawsuit?

On June 9, USC linebacker Talanoa Ili and Stanford quarterback Charlie Mirer filed a lawsuit against the NCAA. The two stated that the body is involved in a “conspiracy” to suppress NIL earnings.

“The system, launched last year following House settlement approval and overseen by the CSC and Deloitte, vets third-party NIL deals worth more than $2,500. Initially, that figure was $600,” Nick Schultz reported on June 10.

Mirer is the son of former Notre Dame and NFL quarterback Rick Mirer. The two filed an 88-page suit in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California. 

They listed Power 4 commissioners, Big Ten’s Tony Petitti, the SEC’s Greg Sankey, the Big 12’s Brett Yormark and the ACC’s Jim Phillips, as defendants. 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore