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NCAA Seeks Dismissal of Kansas 2008 Champions’ Lawsuit, Citing Statute of Limitations

By  |  October 21, 2024

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has requested the dismissal of a class-action lawsuit filed by Mario Chalmers and other members of the 2008 Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team, arguing that the plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the statute of limitations. The case revolves around alleged unpaid compensation for the players’ likenesses used in various commercial ventures, a legal matter that has gained prominence in recent years as former college athletes push for compensation under antitrust laws.

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    In a motion filed on October 18 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the NCAA argued that the claims brought forth by Chalmers and his former teammates fall outside the allowable timeframe. According to the NCAA, the plaintiffs waited too long to pursue their antitrust claims, which are subject to a four-year statute of limitations. Since the proposed class action includes players whose likenesses were used up until 2016, the NCAA contends that the case should be dismissed as it has exceeded the permissible period by eight years.

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    Per Bloomberg, the NCAA emphasized that the legal time limit for bringing such claims expired long ago. The association further argued that the plaintiffs are attempting to rely on exceptions to the statute of limitations in order to push the case forward, but these exceptions do not apply in this instance. According to the motion, the NCAA believes the lawsuit lacks legal standing due to these timing issues.

    Related: Attorney Challenges NCAA’s $2.78 Billion Settlement in Landmark Antitrust Cases

    The suit, led by Chalmers, a key figure in the Kansas team’s 2008 NCAA Championship victory, accuses the NCAA of profiting off the players’ likenesses without providing them any compensation. This type of claim has become more frequent as the debate over athletes’ rights to their name, image, and likeness (NIL) continues to intensify. However, the NCAA maintains that the delay in filing the suit renders the claims invalid under existing antitrust laws.

    As reported by Bloomberg, this case is part of a broader legal landscape where former college athletes are increasingly challenging the NCAA’s long-standing policies on amateurism. The NCAA’s latest motion could potentially set a precedent for similar cases if the court sides with the organization, reaffirming the importance of adhering to legal deadlines when filing such claims.

    Source: Bloomberg