The class-certification hearing in the Ed O’Bannon vs. NCAA case was held last month. While current athletes still have a while to wait before a ruling is made regarding their right to seek compensation, one of them can at least join the plaintiffs’ complaint.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken ruled Friday that a current, unnamed athlete can be added to the list of plaintiffs in the case. Attorneys for the plaintiffs will have two weeks to adjust their complaint against the NCAA and co-defendants Collegiate Licensing Company and Electronic Arts.
Contrarily, the defendants will not be allowed to amend their arguments until a future summary judgment. Wilken hinted during the June 20 hearing that she was leaning toward allowing plaintiffs to add a current athlete to their group. The most recent ruling -- it’ll be huge news when the athlete is identified -- also suggests Wilken could be leaning toward certifying at least part of the case.
Plaintiffs in the case are seeking damages for the defendants’ use of college athletes’ names, images and likenesses.