Leonte Carroo, one of the most iconic figures in Rutgers football history, has taken legal action against the university. The lawsuit, filed on October 30, alleges that Rutgers profited unjustly from Carroo’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) during his tenure as a standout player.
The lawsuit seeks back payments estimated between $2.8 million and $3.0 million. Carroo argues that his contributions boosted the university’s revenue through things like merchandise and ticket sales.
Rutgers has moved to dismiss the lawsuit, saying the statute of limitations has expired and Carroo consented to the use of his NIL. The case has sparked debate about the rights of former college athletes and the money universities make off their programs.
The Background of the Lawsuit
Leonte Carroo’s lawsuit against Rutgers comes from his claim that the university profited from his NIL while he was a student-athlete from 2012 to 2015. Carroo was a record-setting player and, honestly, the face of the program during those years.
He says Rutgers used his NIL to bring in big revenue in a bunch of ways.
Carroo’s Stellar Career at Rutgers
Carroo was one of the highest-ranked recruits to ever sign with the Scarlet Knights, coming from Don Bosco Prep. During his career at Rutgers, he set numerous records, including:
- Program record in career touchdown receptions: 29
- Third all-time in receiving yards: 2,373
- Second-most 100-yard games: 12
On the field, he was a fan favorite. Crowds would chant *CARROOOOOOOOO* after his catches.
Rutgers ran with that popularity, putting up banners and launching marketing campaigns. It all brought in more revenue for the school.
Legal Arguments and Counterarguments
Carroo’s legal team, led by Charles Z Schalk, says Rutgers profited off his NIL and owes him for it. They point to the House vs. NCAA settlement, which granted back payments to college athletes for their NIL between June 2016 and 2024.
Carroo graduated in May 2016, just weeks before that settlement period started.
Rutgers has filed a motion to dismiss. Their arguments boil down to two points:
- Expiration of the statute of limitations: Rutgers says Carroo waited too long to file.
- Consent to use NIL: They also claim Carroo agreed to the use of his NIL, pointing to social media posts where he said he was “blessed” to have his jerseys sold and photos displayed on campus.
The House vs. NCAA Settlement
The House vs. NCAA settlement was a big deal, granting back payments to college athletes for their NIL from June 2016 to 2024. Carroo’s lawsuit argues the spirit of that ruling should count for him too, even though he graduated just before the cutoff.
He says denying him compensation would be arbitrary and unfair, and it goes against the intent of the historic ruling.
Rutgers’ Financial Gains
While Carroo played at Rutgers, the university used his NIL in several ways to rake in revenue. These included:
- Jersey sales: Carroo’s jerseys were sold to fans, bringing in solid money.
- Ticket sales: His performance and popularity drew crowds to games.
- Advertising: Rutgers used Carroo’s image on billboards and in marketing.
- Recruitment and marketing: Carroo’s success helped attract new recruits and promote the program.
Carroo’s lawsuit claims these financial gains were made at his expense, without proper pay for his role.
The Future of NIL Rights
The outcome of Carroo’s lawsuit could have real consequences for the future of NIL rights for college athletes. If the court sides with Carroo, it might open the door for other former athletes to seek compensation for their NIL use in college.
Potential Precedents
No court in the country has granted the kind of relief Carroo is asking for, at least according to Rutgers. Still, if his lawsuit succeeds, it could set a precedent for similar cases down the line.
That might force universities to rethink how they compensate athletes for their NIL. The story’s not over yet, and honestly, it’s hard to say where it’ll end up.
Broader Implications
This case shines a light on the bigger debate swirling around college athletes’ rights. There’s a lot of talk about the money universities rake in from their sports programs.
The NCAA keeps getting pushed to let athletes profit from their NIL. This lawsuit? It might just add more fuel to that fire.
For more details, you can check out the full article on NJ.com.
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