Former Southern California football star Reggie Bush has officially filed a lawsuit against his alma mater, the NCAA, and the Pac-12 in an attempt to recover compensation for the use of his name, image, and likeness during his time with the Trojans two decades ago.

Bush’s attorneys announced the lawsuit in a press release on Monday, claiming that the Heisman Trophy winner deserves to be paid for the exploitation he experienced during his college football career. While details about the lawsuit were not disclosed, attorney Evan Selik emphasized that the case is about justice for Bush and setting a precedent for fair treatment of all college athletes.

During his tenure at USC from 2003-05, Bush was a standout player, winning two national titles and the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Following his college career, he went on to play in the NFL for 11 seasons but faced controversy that led to him forfeiting his Heisman in 2010.

In a significant turn of events earlier this year, the Heisman Trust restored Bush’s honor and returned the trophy to him, acknowledging changes in the landscape of college athletics over the past 14 years. Despite this positive development, Bush is still pursuing a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA over their characterization of the events that led to his previous troubles.

It remains unclear how the new lawsuit will impact Bush’s relationship with USC, which had recently shown support for him by returning his retired jersey number to the Coliseum. The university issued a statement expressing their continued respect for Bush as a member of the Trojan Family.

Bush’s legal action is part of a broader trend among former athletes seeking compensation for their contributions under the new rules in college athletics. As the NCAA and major conferences navigate the landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation, athletes are increasingly demanding fair treatment and recognition for their efforts.

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