The Landmark Lawsuit That Transformed College Sports Forever

The story of how a former college basketball player, a sports executive, and a determined attorney teamed up to challenge the NCAA's long-standing amateurism model and forever change the landscape of college athletics. This landmark case paved the way for a new era of athlete compensation and the return of a beloved video game franchise.

Uncovering the Injustice at the Heart of College Sports

Sonny Vaccaro's Crusade for Player Compensation

Sonny Vaccaro, a seasoned sports executive known for his role in helping Nike sign Michael Jordan, had a deep understanding of the college sports industry. He was convinced that the athletes driving millions in revenue to their schools deserved to be compensated. Vaccaro's passion for righting this perceived wrong led him to seek out an unlikely ally – attorney Michael Hausfeld, who had built his reputation challenging powerful entities like oil companies and Swiss banks.

Michael Hausfeld's Legal Expertise and the Search for a Plaintiff

Hausfeld, who had little knowledge of college sports, quickly recognized the potential legal issues in the NCAA's business model. When Vaccaro approached him with his concerns, Hausfeld saw an opportunity to challenge the system. "He said to me something that really wasn't on my mind," Vaccaro recalled. "He said, 'Well, now you gotta find me a guy who's gonna sue.'"

The Unlikely Plaintiff: Ed O'Bannon, the NCAA Champion

Vaccaro and Hausfeld found their plaintiff in former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon, the MVP of the 1995 national championship team. O'Bannon's involvement was sparked by seeing his own image used in a popular EA Sports video game without his consent or compensation. This became the entry point for the lawsuit, which challenged the NCAA's right to profit from the use of athletes' names, images, and likenesses.

The Expanding Scope: Robertson, Russell, and the Keller Case

The lawsuit grew in scope, with other high-profile athletes like Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell joining as plaintiffs. Quarterback Sam Keller, who had noticed his avatar switching schools when he transferred, also filed a separate lawsuit that was eventually merged with the O'Bannon case. The legal team at Hagens Berman, led by Robert Carey, meticulously matched real-life rosters with the video game characters, building a strong case against the NCAA's practices.

The Courtroom Battle: Challenging the Amateurism Myth

The NCAA mounted a fierce legal defense, employing high-powered and costly law firms to protect the status quo of college sports. However, U.S. Judge Claudia Wilken, presiding over the case, proved to be unsentimental about preserving the NCAA's amateurism model. "She got it," said Jon Solomon, a reporter covering the trial. "She understood what the arguments the NCAA were trying to make and shut down almost all of them, all their defenses related to amateurism."

The Landmark Ruling: A Decisive Victory for the Plaintiffs

On August 8, 2014, Judge Wilken ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, dealing a significant blow to the NCAA's longstanding amateurism policies. The ruling was upheld on appeal, and the Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear the case, solidifying the victory.

The Fallout: The Unraveling of the NCAA's Amateurism Model

The NCAA initially framed the decision as a battle lost, but not the war. However, those closely following the case understood the magnitude of the ruling and the impending reckoning for college sports. It would take several more years, but the O'Bannon case ultimately paved the way for the NCAA's concession that athlete compensation is here to stay.

The Return of EA Sports College Football: A Symbolic Moment

The announcement of the NCAA's .8 billion antitrust settlement, which includes a plan to share revenue with athletes, and the return of the EA Sports College Football video game series within weeks of each other was a symbolic moment. The two events, while coincidental, represented the culmination of the legal battle and the transformation of the college sports landscape.

The Legacy of the O'Bannon Case: A Lasting Impact

The O'Bannon case has become synonymous with the demise of the NCAA's amateurism model and the unmasking of big-time college athletics as a billion-dollar industry. While the former UCLA player himself has not actively embraced this legacy, his role in challenging the system has had a profound and lasting impact on the world of college sports.