PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ten former NFL players, including five Hall of Famers, want the league to pay if NFL Films uses images of them without their consent.
Attorney Jon King represents the players. He compares this class-action lawsuit to the lawsuit filed by former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon against the NCAA because they deal with an “individuals rights to control the use of their image.”
On Tuesday, a group that includes Curley Culp and John Riggins filed a class-action suit in U.S. District Court in New Jersey to reclaim payment for the use of their names, images and likenesses from film footage they say was used on NFL Network and to promote the league without the former players consent.
There was a $50 million settlement in April between the NFL and a group of retired players seeking publicity rights. The NFL said Wednesday that settlement was “fair and reasonable” and should be enough to placate this group of players.
