NCAA policies regarding use of players’ names and images under fire again

The policies of the NCAA concerning use of student athletes’ names, images and likenesses have been a lightning rod for controversy in recent years.  Most recently, former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon achieved an interim victory when, on February 8, 2010, a judge in San Francisco denied the NCAA’s motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit led by O’Bannon.  A large part of the claim centers around the NCAA’s agreements that athletes must sign, allowing the NCAA use of students’ names and images for the NCAA to promote events, activities or programs.  Since I have colleagues or clients on both sides of the aisle, I’ll remain neutral on the issue and let you come to your own conclusions.  Here’s a link to the story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/sports/ncaabasketball/09ncaa.html