Former members of the 1983 North Carolina State University men’s basketball team have decided to drop TV networks from their lawsuit against the NCAA. The initial complaint accused the NCAA of profiting off the names, images, and likenesses of the players from that historic team, known as the “Cardiac Pack.”
The lawsuit, which originally included the Collegiate Licensing Company as a defendant before dropping it, now involves 12 plaintiffs seeking compensation for the unauthorized use of their names, images, and likenesses by the NCAA and its partners. The amended complaint also named TV networks such as CBS Broadcasting and Turner Sports Interactive.
The lawsuit points to the NCAA’s monopoly power in exploiting student-athletes and alleges that the organization has been benefiting financially from the players’ images without their consent. The plaintiffs cite a US Supreme Court ruling in NCAA v. Alston to support their claims of illegal monopolization and unjust enrichment by the NCAA.
The former players seek reasonable compensation and a permanent injunction to stop the NCAA’s unlawful conduct. They argue that the funds generated by the NCAA through the unauthorized use of their names, images, and likenesses rightfully belong to them.
Despite the legal battle, the players have dropped the TV networks from their lawsuit, focusing instead on holding the NCAA accountable for its actions. The case is being overseen by State Business Court Judge Mark Davis, and the players are represented by lawyers from three Raleigh-based firms.
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