Judge Dismisses Ex-Athletes’ NIL Antitrust Lawsuit

A U.S. federal judge has dismissed an antitrust lawsuit filed by 16 former college athletes, including Kansas basketball star Mario Chalmers, against the NCAA for using their names, images, and likenesses (NIL) in promotions before 2016. Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled that the claims were filed beyond the four-year statute of limitations for antitrust cases. The plaintiffs contended that the NCAA continues to profit from their NILs, but the judge found that ongoing use does not reset the legal deadline, as it relates to agreements from their college years. The athletes are not covered by a recent multibillion-dollar NCAA settlement, which applies only to those who played from June 2016 onward and is pending final court approval. The NCAA welcomed the ruling and expressed hope that similar lawsuits will also be dismissed. The decision also referenced the O'Bannon v. NCAA case, noting no substantial difference from prior settled NIL cases.