Former University of Kansas basketball player and NBA champion Mario Chalmers has filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), his attorneys said Tuesday. The suit alleges that the NCAA has violated the rights of players by not allowing them to receive fair compensation for their name, image and likeness (NIL).
Chalmers, who was a key part of Kansas’ 2008 national championship win, argues that the NCAA has exploited college athletes for decades by prohibiting them from financially benefiting from their talents while the organization and universities generate significant revenue from their performances.
“It is time for the NCAA to be held accountable for the injustices they have perpetrated against college athletes,” Chalmers said in a statement. “We have worked hard and sacrificed much to represent our schools, and it is unacceptable that we are denied the opportunity to benefit from our own images and successes.”
Chalmers’ lawsuit adds to a growing wave of criticism and legal challenges against the NCAA, which has faced pressure from lawmakers and former athletes alike to reform its NIL policies. In 2021, the NCAA amended its rules to allow college athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness, but many, like Chalmers, believe these reforms come too late and are insufficient.
Chalmers’ attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, known for his experience in sports litigation, said this lawsuit seeks not only compensation for Chalmers, but also to set a precedent that ensures future college athletes do not face the same restrictions.
“We are seeking justice for Mario and all athletes who have been harmed by the NCAA’s unfair policies,” Kessler said. “The NCAA has built a system that profits greatly from the labor of athletes while leaving them out of the revenue, and that must change.”
The NCAA has yet to issue an official statement in response to Chalmers’ lawsuit, but the organization is expected to defend its position and the recent reforms it has implemented regarding NIL.
2024-07-03 22:13:03
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