An NFL wide receiver is suing the NCAA for using his name, image and likeness without proper compensation in a move that could lead to other pro stars following his footsteps.
Detroit Lions star Jameson Williams filed the suit the NCAA, the Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in Los Angeles County, as first reported by the California Post.
According to court documents, Williams is accusing the three sports leagues of using his name, image and likeness without proper compensation.
In 2019 and 2020 Williams was a star wide receiver at Ohio State – which plays in the Big Ten – before finishing his college career at SEC powerhouse Alabama in 2021.
The NCAA did not adopt NIL until July of 2021, in Williams’ final season of college sports before he turned pro and was selected 12th overall by Detroit in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Williams is seeking an injunction barring the three sports bodies from using his image ‘for financial or any similar gain or reason without his consent and compensation.’
Lions star Jameson Williams is suing the NCAA, Big Ten and SEC for a lack of NIL payments
Williams is accusing the three entities of failing to allow him to sell off his NIL while playing at Ohio State and Alabama (above) – and for continuing to use his image without proper payment
Williams is coming off a career best season with the Detroit Lions racking up 1,117 yards
The suit continues: ‘To date, Williams has received no fair compensation from Defendants for the full commercial value of his name, image, and likeness. Defendants continuously financially benefit from Jameson Williams’ name, image and likeness rights, while also doing so without providing him with just compensation.’
Williams is seeking ‘the social media earnings that [he] would have received but for Defendants’ unlawful conduct’ as well as the cut of ‘the game telecast group licensing revenue’ that the NCAA, SEC and Big Ten earned, in part, due to his success on the gridiron.
He claims in the suit that restrictions from the NCAA, Big Ten and SEC prevented his ability to ‘sell his name, image, and likeness rights.’ Williams also accuses the three defendants of continuing to use his NIL through social media posts and highlight packages.
‘Plaintiff received less — zero — than he otherwise would have received for the use of his name, image, and likeness in a competitive marketplace, and was thus damaged, and seeks to recover those damages,’ Williams’ lawsuit states.
The wide receiver is suing for violating the Cartwright Act, the Unfair Practices Act, the Lanham Act and the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Williams is coming off a career year in professional football after racking up a career-high 65 catches, 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns.
