Former USC running back and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush made headlines yesterday by announcing a lawsuit against USC, the NCAA, and the Pac-12, seeking compensation for the past use of his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). If successful, his lawsuit could pave the way for other star athletes to follow, challenging decades of NCAA restrictions.
Charlotte Wilder, co-host of Oddball with Amin Elhassan, joined Tuesday’s edition of GoJo and Golic to discuss the topic with Mike Golic Jr. and Mike Golic Sr. on her segment “Wilder Wednesdays on a Tuesday.” GoJo sets the stage for the discussion, admitting initially that Bush suing these different entities was not on his bingo card and asking Wilder what her initial thoughts on the news and if Bush has a chance to win these lawsuits.
Wilder referred to her and GoJo’s text chain when the news dropped, and she said initially he didn’t have a chance in hell. Further, she offered an additional point, expressing that it could have a massive impact if he were successful with these lawsuits. Wilder even quoted one of Bush’s attorneys, Evan Selik, saying that it was not just about Reggie Bush but instead about setting a precedent. She mentioned that it blows her mind because if Bush has a chance, what about the other tens of thousands of athletes? If you can sue retroactively for NIL compensation.
She flipped the question over to Senior about whether or not Bush had a chance; Senior prefaced his comments by stating that he is not a lawyer and that, jokingly, he does not even want to play one. Senior added that the 1983 NC State national champion basketball team filed a similar lawsuit for past NIL compensation. With the potential results of the House v. NCAA case, where institutions and players will engage in revenue-sharing agreements, institutions will be able to compensate athletes dating back to 2016. However, his initial reaction to the news was that he had no chance.
GoJo provides context for Bush’s legal action, expressing that three antitrust cases already set a precedent for Bush’s current lawsuits, given these cases are tied to NIL compensation. He questions what this would be like for other high-profile athletes from the past who had high earning potential during their college playing careers.
He even gives a personal antidote from his days on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and his former teammate Manti Te’o during his Heisman runner-up season. The bookstore at Notre Dame sold number 5 jerseys with flower leis printed on them as an ode to Te’o’s home of Hawaii. Further, to conclude his point, GoJo points out that you can argue that certain high-profile players benefited the university just as much as the university benefited them. GoJo explains that Bush’s case is unique: with money now being given to everyone, why not take a chance and sue, especially since the high courts have ruled against the NCAA almost every chance they get?
If Reggie Bush wins these lawsuits, it could set a precedent for other former high-profile college athletes to pursue compensation for their NIL rights. The ripple effect could reshape how past NCAA violations are viewed in the NIL era. This is a story worth closely following as it develops.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: Jayden Daniels Makes History and CFB Crowning Moments + Jaylon Jones, Colts CB, on Anthony Richardson, Beating the Bears & HC Shane Steichen
Hour 2: Wilder Tuesdays — Charlotte on Sam Darnold’s Ginger Status, NFL Superlatives & Reggie Bush Suing for NIL Cash + Justin Pugh, NFL Vet, on Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, and the Steelers
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
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