Back to the Big Ten Newsfeed

Chris Spielman Sues Ohio State for Using Athlete Images Without Permission

Former Ohio State and NFL linebacker Chris Spielman filed a lawsuit against Ohio State University for using player likenesses without permission in a marketing program.

According to Andrew Welsh-Huggins of the Associated Press (h/t the Columbus Dispatch), the antitrust lawsuit was filed in Columbus, Ohio, federal court and names OSU and IMG talent agency as defendants with Honda and Nike as co-conspirators.

Spielman is suing on behalf of himself and other players featured on 64 banners hung around Ohio Stadium as part of a Honda ad campaign.

Nike was mentioned as part of the suit due to an apparel deal with Ohio State that features a vintage jersey collection.