Tempe, Arizona. – One of the most dangerous men in college athletics hardly looks the part. Grant House recently lounged in the lobby of a downtown Tempe hotel in jeans, a bushy beard, and a T-shirt that read, “You Probably Don’t Know Me Without Cappy.”
In this sense, the Arizona State swimmer was a typical college student. Certainly not Superman.
His swimming practices take up to 20 hours a week. The humble 24-year-old graduate student from Indiana is lucky to be recognized.
“I was out to dinner three or four weeks ago, and I was stopped by two freshmen on the football team,” House recalled. They said, “You’re a House Grant, right?” You are a swimming man. “
It is much more than that. House is the lead plaintiff in an antitrust lawsuit that could change college athletics. Housev. NCAA He seeks to eliminate what is left of the NCAA’s ability to cap compensation. The suit alleges that college athletes are entitled to a share of the proceeds from college sports television shows in addition to the money from their video game appearances.
Since it is an antitrust case, the damages can be tripled. If the case goes to a jury and the NCAA loses, the association could be on the hook for at least $1.4 billion.
USA Today recently quoted a sports economics expert for the plaintiffs as saying that 7,000 current and former athletes are entitled to the money.
“It’s the case that could end the NCAA,” sports law attorney Mitt Winter told CBS Sports.
Perhaps not dangerous, but House is certainly willing and willing to be the considered end of this legal spear. Fellow plaintiffs include women’s basketball star Sedona Prince, now at TCU, and former football player from Illinois Temer Oliver. House had previously sat out a seven-hour deposition in January, one in which he was questioned by NCAA attorneys.
House recalls being inspired by music students while on ASU Honors College. As musicians, these students can get paid to play at Carnegie Hall, yet the athletes’ earnings are limited by the NCAA.
“I always thought it was interesting…if [those musicians] “I could monetize this, take it as far as I could, I couldn’t because I was an athlete doing my own aspirations and dreams,” House said.
House was approached to be part of the lawsuit during COVID-19 after a practice in 2020 when classmate Cameron Smith was on the phone with her mother.
“All I hear from the background is, ‘I know someone who might be interested in this — my colleague Grant,'” House recalled.
That mom, Shelby Smith, is an attorney with Seattle-based Hagens Berman, who has a notable history with the NCAA. More importantly, the company co-chaired advisors in Alston case This resulted in the NCAA granting the rights to the name, image, and likeness of the athletes in 2021.
“It was really interesting to come close … and after Alston went through the first phase of this lawsuit that the NCAA’s hands had to be forced to make changes,” House said.
House has heard the NCAA claims over the years that locker rooms would break if athletes were compensated. Now, this is actually happening – the compensation part, not the crack.
“I know there are quarterbacks out there who make millions of dollars. I don’t get that. Good for them. I want them to realize that,” House said.
He added, “I can imagine [locker room issues] Maybe in some places the younger athletes have egos and haven’t developed as much. I blame it on the culture. I don’t blame it on NIL. If your culture is that fragile and weak, you as a university need to fix that.”
House sharing can be part of the beginning of the end. The case is being heard by Claudia Wilken, already famous for chairing Alston W O’Bannon cases. House is the first College Sports Communication (CSC) Academic All-American swim team in 31 years. This week, he graduated with a master’s degree in sports law and business. Now, it’s full training for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
During a year in which the best Pac-12 stories have been overshadowed by media rights negotiations, the House should be celebrated. He swam at ASU under legendary coach Bob Bowman, who coached Olympic champion Michael Phelps and served on top of the US Olympic swimming team at Rio 2016.
House’s legal pursuits may not be palatable to a league defendant in the lawsuit (along with other Power Five conferences), but he is one of the most awarded swimmers in Arizona. The case will go to trial in September 2024.
“He’s very aware [of the importance]Huggins Berman’s attorney, Emily Sisko, who is working with House on the case, said.
She added, “He’s been our lead plaintiff since the beginning.”
The lawsuit is making its way to court as the NCAA remains under fire on many fronts. While NCAA President Charlie Baker was advocating a federal zero-risk zero-information bill on Capitol Hill, several states passed their own bills banning the association’s access to restrictive benefits. If the NCAA doesn’t get help from Congress or changes itself, the courts may do it for them.
“I believe that athletes deserve to achieve whatever their hopes, dreams and talents allow them to,” House said.
The son of two teachers, he never got rich. He has two modest NIL deals – by the way, he doesn’t deal with an agent. There are also deals with a fitness apparel brand and a nutritionist who helps him train.
“It was amazing how frequently the questions were,” House said of being cross-examined by NCAA attorneys in his testimony in January. “How many times have we been given the same responses, the same questions… It was an opportunity [to say]“No, that’s what I believe in. That’s what I learned. That’s what I kept passionate about.”
House heard all of the NCAA’s arguments, including that fans would stop attending games. Alabama has played in the National Championship for two seasons, with quarterback Bryce Young earning no less than $3 million over his career. Enjoy attending college football The largest annual increase in 41 years.
The ratings for women’s basketball have also passed their peak this season.
“For me, performance comes first and foremost,” House said. “If this is missing or my performance in class is lacking, then everything else must be settled. I hope this is the case for every athlete.”