SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former college basketball players spanning many eras have joined a lawsuit filed by ex-UCLA star Ed O’Bannon against the NCAA for profiting from the use of their images without permission.
In an amended complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, four players involved in the 1966 national championship game that pitted a Texas Western team with five black starters against an all-white Kentucky team joined in the suit.
Players from other famous games and teams have also joined the suit.
The lawsuit alleges video game maker Electronic Arts Inc., the NCAA and Collegiate Licensing Co. unlawfully profit from player images while paying the players nothing.
NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson says the allegations are false and that the NCAA does not license student-athlete likenesses or prevent former players from attempting to do so.
