Five years since its inception, the O’Bannon vs. NCAA lawsuit — alleging the NCAA and its member schools sold the images and likenesses of former college athletes in violation of antitrust laws — is going to trial. Ed O’Bannon, the suit’s plaintiff, and his attorney Michael Hausfeld join Larry for an exclusive interview regarding the case. This case will be closely watched by the amateur sports community. This historic decision could forever change the way college-level sports are played.
In an exclusive interview available tonight, Ed O’Bannon and his legal counsel Michael Hausfeld sat down with Larry King on his online-based show “Larry King Now” to explain why they say college athletes have no voice, no sense of security, and no control or compensation when it comes to their image and likeness after signing the NCAA scholarship.
Among many topics, Ed O’Bannon discusses when he found out the NCAA was profiting off of him long after he left college sports. He received no royalties or any monetary compensation even though the NCAA included his image and likeness in a video game.
“My likeness was being used…in any other walk of life, I would have a share in that profit,” said O’Bannon. “If someone uses your likeness, then you should be compensated for it.”
