Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is in the news, but it has nothing to do with the team or its offseason. According to a report from the New York Post, Williams is seeking monetary damages in a lawsuit filed this week against the NCAA, Big Ten and the SEC.
According to the Post, Williams “sued the three entities in Los Angeles County on Monday over allegations they’ve been using his name, image and likeness without properly compensating him for it.”
The lawsuit adds, “To date, Williams has received no fair compensation from Defendants for the full commercial value of his name, image, and likeness.” It adds that defendants “continuously financially benefit from Jameson Williams’ name, image and likeness rights,” while “also doing so without proving him with just compensation.”
When Williams played college football, name, image and likeness was not as big a money-maker it is today.
Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions Files Lawsuit: Report
Social media is in question, too. In the lawsuit, Williams says he would like the “social media earnings that [he] would have received but for Defendants’ unlawful conduct,” plus some of the “game telecast group licensing revenue” that he says the defendants got partly because of his success in college football.
So, Williams is basically saying that because of institutional restrictions, he wasn’t able to reap the benefits of his name, image and likeness.
“Plaintiff received less — zero — than he otherwise would have received for the use of his name, image, and likeness in a competitive marketplace,” the New York Post states, “and was thus damaged, and seeks to recover those damages.”
The Detroit Lions drafted Williams in 2022 as a first-round pick. During his time at Alabama, for the 2021-22 season, he notched 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns.
What Is NIL?
You probably know what NIL is by now, but it’s a bit confusing, so let’s go over the basics. According to the Mason Firm LLC, “NIL has completely reshaped the legal and business landscape for college sports, and it’s changing fast.”
They add: NIL refers to an individual’s legal right to profit from their personal brand—specifically their name, image, and likeness. These rights have always existed under publicity laws, but for decades, the NCAA prohibited student-athletes from making money off them. That all changed in 2021.”
Today, athletes can earn income from sponsorship and endorsement deals; social media content monetization; personal appearances and autograph signings; branded merchandise and licensing deals; and NFTs and digital media.
“Although NIL is often marketed as a sports opportunity, it is deeply rooted in entertainment and intellectual property law,” Mason Firm adds. “These athletes are now operating like influencers, celebrities, and entrepreneurs—and that means contracts, copyrights, trademarks, and compliance are all on the table.”
So, will Williams win his lawsuit? That will shake out over the next few months. But, what’s not changing is the controversial nature around NIL. It still rubs people the wrong way because it blurs lines that used to feel fixed. College sports were built on a certain illusion, and now the money’s out in the open. Some see overdue fairness, while others see a system tilting fast with a lot more gray area.
Lions Star Jameson Williams is Suing the Big Ten, NCAA and SEC: Report