Judge Rules In Favor of O'Bannon, NCAA Violates Anti-Trust Law

[RaychelSnr]

Judge Claudia Wilkin ruled today that the NCAA is in violation of anti-trust law and must allow players to receive compensation for their names, image, and likenesses being used in various forms of media. This ruling comes a day after the NCAA voted to give the NCAA's five power conferences autonomy to create their own rules, which could lead to player compensation in various forms anyways.

Quote:

"In a 99-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken issued an injunction “that will enjoin the NCAA from enforcing any rules or bylaws that would prohibit its member schools and conferences from offering their FBS football or Division I basketball recruits a limited share of the revenues generated from the use of their names, images, and likenesses in addition to a full grant-in-aid.” Wilken said the injunction will not prevent the NCAA from implementing rules capping the amount of money that may be paid to college athletes while they are enrolled in school, but the NCAA will not be allowed to set the cap below the cost of attendance. The injunction will also prohibit the NCAA from “enforcing any rules to prevent its member schools and conferences from offering to deposit a limited share of licensing revenue in trust for their FBS football and Division I basketball recruits, payable when they leave school or their eligibility expires,” Wilken wrote. Her injunction will allow the NCAA to set a cap on the money held in that trust, but prohibits the NCAA's cap to be less than $5,000 for every year an athlete remains academically eligible to compete."

This case is far from over however, as many expect it to go all the way to the Supreme Court. For now, the wheels are definitely turning in a direction that could allow college video games to come back into play in a fully licensed and legal basis if everyone so desired -- but it may be a year or two minimum before the legal structures to allow such a return are in place.

[nascar163]

This should get interesting over the next few days.

[malky]

Yeah still would take a couple of years to figure out how the pie will be divided, but I have no doubt a College Football VG will be back.

[DorianDonP]

Hopefully this would allow for all D1 schools to be included in the game and not just the Power 5 teams. Assuming a game came back at all, of course.

[Cryolemon]

Would be cool to see 2k Sports bid for any license that became available. Can't see it happening though.

[ODogg]

Awesome, can we have our game back now??

[bad_philanthropy]

Definitely clears the picture on the future of a college football video game. Question is if the NCAA will appeal. I thought it was a slam dunk a while ago, but with the way things are changing all around it, I almost feel like it may have died on this hill here.

[Gopokes15]

Ncaa football 16 next gen please! And 2k feel free to make a college bball game!