The lead attorney in O’Bannon v. the NCAA, a landmark case that paved the way for athletes to earn money off their name, image and likeness, has filed an opposition to the $2.78 billion settlement of three antitrust cases facing the NCAA and power conferences.
Michael Hausfeld and his firm filed documents late Wednesday night to the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California, arguing the damages portion of the settlement is too low, the cap on the proposed revenue-sharing system with athletes is unlawful and restrictions placed on booster-funded NIL collectives are unfair.
“The settlements involve illusory, contradictory and overreaching terms; approval of them should be denied,” the filing said.
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According to the documents, the filing was made on behalf of seven past, present or future Division I college athletes, most notably former Iowa basketball player Jordan Bohannon, an outspoken NCAA critic who pushed for athletes to be allowed to be paid through NIL during his career. Bohannon played at Iowa from 2016-2022. The NCAA lifted its ban on athletes being compensated for NIL in 2021.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs and the NCAA and conferences filed a revised portion…
