- 3-time NCAA Tournament participant opts out of $2.8B class action settlement
- Lawsuit claims Villanova earned $1B+ from Jenkins' championship-winning shot
- Case tests retroactive application of 2021 NIL policy changes
Four years before college athletes gained name/image/likeness (NIL) rights, Kris Jenkins' iconic buzzer-beater cemented Villanova's 2016 national championship. New court filings reveal the financial paradox: While the university reportedly gained $250 million in publicity value and $19.1 million in NCAA distributions from the victory, Jenkins himself earned $0 from his career-defining moment.
The 14-page complaint alleges systematic exploitation through collusive restraintsby the NCAA and six major conferences. Legal analysts note this case breaks new ground by demanding compensation for:
- Broadcast revenue shares from 76 televised games
- Video game avatar licensing opportunities
- Social media brand partnerships during peak popularity
Industry data shows Power Five schools generated $3.3 billion in athletic revenue during Jenkins' senior year alone. The lawsuit contends athletes received less than 8% through scholarships while conferences distributed 72% to administrators and coaches. A regional comparison reveals the Big East allocated $42 million to member schools in 2016 - funds Jenkins argues should have included athlete profit-sharing.
Three unique factors make this case pivotal: First, the viral nature of Jenkins' championship moment creates measurable commercial value. Second, new NIL policies enable direct comparisons between past and present earning potential. Third, the NCAA's $22.6 million athletic department windfall from 2016 provides clear revenue benchmarks for potential damages.
Legal experts cite parallels to the 2014 O'Bannon case where athletes won $60 million for unauthorized EA Sports avatars. However, Jenkins' claim differs by targeting broadcast revenues - a $19 billion college sports income stream never shared with players. The outcome could force schools to retroactively compensate thousands of pre-2021 athletes.
As conferences prepare to distribute new $75 million annual playoff revenues, this lawsuit underscores growing tension between institutional wealth and athlete compensation. With 350+ opt-outs from the NCAA settlement, Jenkins' case may spark a wave of individual claims rewriting college sports economics.