Former Celtics star Bill Russell is suing the NCAA for using his likeness from his time in college without paying him or seeking his consent.
Russell, who led the University of San Francisco to consecutive national championships in 1955 and 1956, is featured in videos of the championship games, which the NCAA currently sells for $150 on its online store. In addition, EA Sports is named in the suit for using Russell's image in a "Tournament of Legends" feature on a basketball game.
The 77-year-old is seeking a court order blocking further sale of the videos and video games, plus disgorgement of profits from them and unspecified damages.
The suit, which was filed in Oakland, Calif., is the latest complaint to claim the NCAA violates federal antitrust laws by keeping former student basketball and football athletes from receiving compensation for the commercial use of their images and likenesses.
Russell won 11 championships in the NBA with the Celtics before retiring in 1969 and was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players in 1996.
