Former Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who left Ohio State after "Tattoogate," won't get backpay for his NIL after his lawsuit was dismissed.
A federal judge in Columbus has dismissed former Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor's lawsuit against Ohio State University, the NCAA, the Big Ten and others over compensation for using his name, image and likeness.
In a July 18 order, U.S. District Judge Sarah Morrison granted the defendants' motions to dismiss the lawsuit, writing that Pryor's claims fall outside the four-year statute of limitations for antitrust claims.
Pryor was the Buckeyes' star quarterback from 2008 to 2010 and led the team to two Big Ten championships.
He left OSU in 2011 after a so-called "Tattoogate" scandal, in which Pryor and four other Ohio State players were caught selling their memorabilia in exchange for cash and tattoos and were suspended for five games in violation of NCAA rules.
The NCAA did not allow student athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness until 2021 in response to a series of new state laws.
Pryor's lawsuit sought damages and an injunction to prevent the defendants from continuing to use his image in game replays and more without permission or compensation.
His lawsuit also sought class-action status to include all former student-athletes who competed for OSU prior ot the NIL rules changing.
Pryor is one of several athletes who have sued their alma maters in recent years, seeking back pay for their NIL. Several other cases have been dismissed on the same grounds.
Many of these lawsuits are being brought by athletes like Pryor, who are ineligible for the $2.8 billion in back damages from the NCAA v. House settlement. That settlement pays college athletes who competed from 2016 to 2024.
Reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Terrelle Pryor's NIL lawsuit against Ohio State University dismissed
Category: General Sports
