ABOUT THE LAWSUIT

The retired players of the National Football League have filed a class action lawsuit against the League for the unauthorized use of their identities. The lawsuit challenges the unauthorized use of the retired players’ names, images, and likenesses to promote the NFL brand and otherwise produce revenue for the League.  The action seeks to resolve the rights of as many retired NFL football players as possible, regardless of level of celebrity, prominence in NFL Films or how long they played in the league. The players allege the NFL has earned substantial revenue by using the identities of retired NFL football players to promote the League’s “glory days,” primarily with its NFL Films division.  The NFL’s efforts to use its past to promote its brand have allowed the NFL to billions of dollars of annual revenues.

The NFL has become the most powerful and profitable sport in America over many years through the sacrifice of the players who played the game.  Many of those now-retired NFL players suffer from severe physical limitations, pain, and disabilities as a result of the sacrifices they made – sacrifices the NFL now uses to promote itself.  Through their suit, the retired NFL players seek a fair share of the revenues the NFL has earned, and will earn, by using the images of former players who helped build the NFL brand into what it is today.

Charles Zimmerman, who is representing the putative class of retired players, said “This is an opportunity for the NFL to resolve an important issue and properly acknowledge the role its alumni play as a continuing source of revenue for the League.  We hope both the League and its retired players are able to move forward in a mutually respectful and equitable way.”