The ongoing class action lawsuit against the NCAA and Electronic Arts (EA) has taken a new turn as the court has approved the plaintiffs' plea and granted a $60 million settlement.
On Thursday, July 16, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken gave the green light for college basketball and football players to finally get paid for appearances in the NCAA video games.
For the unfamiliar, the class action lawsuit alleged that the NCAA used the names and likeness of college basketball and football players in the video game illegally for years.
"This landmark decision marks the first time student-athletes will be paid for the likeness or image, and stands as a huge victory in the ongoing fight for student-athletes' rights," said Steve Berman, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, on Friday, July 17.
The maximum amount an individual can claim is $7,200. The payments are anticipated to begin from September and will depend on the use of the athlete's profile in the video game.
From 2003 to 2014, nearly 21,309 basketball players and 111,174 football players appeared in the NCAA and EA video games.
Those who are entitled to the claim as a result of appearing in the NCAA-licensed basketball and football games but have not so far arranged for the claim need not despair. They have until July 31 to file as well as get their claim approved or else they will not get their settlement share. The final payout amount will also be dependent on the total number of athletes filing the claim.
Over 20,000 athletes have already claimed their share.
CBS Sports also revealed that, according to the plaintiffs' lawyers, the judge could possibly reduce attorneys' fees from 33 percent to 30 percent. In the event this happens, then the money available for the athletes' claims would increase.
Those who are eligible and would like to file a claim can do so online.
Photo: Vincent Diamante | Flickr
