Latest news with #Trojan
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Judge rules Reggie Bush must pay Lloyd Lake $1.4 million in defamation case
Former USC running back Reggie Bush must pay Lloyd Lake, the man accused of paying Bush and his family during his career with the Trojans in violation of NCAA rules, after Lake filed a defamation lawsuit against the former Trojan. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) Lloyd Lake, the San Diego man at the center of the Reggie Bush extra benefits saga, scored a major legal victory this week over the former USC running back after a Van Nuys judge upheld an arbitrator's decision to award Lake nearly $1.4 million in his defamation suit against Bush. Lake filed the suit against Bush back in February 2023 — along with his parents, Roy and Barbara Gunner — alleging that Bush publicly disparaged and defamed him during a podcast appearance and in social media posts and, as such, violated the non-disparagement clause they agreed upon in a previous settlement. The comments, according to Lake and his parents' complaint, 'created a firestorm of vitriol' that saw the Gunner home vandalized with graffiti and left them fearing for their safety. Advertisement The judge's decision this week came more than 15 years after the first explosive lawsuit between the two men was settled. That suit, which Lake first filed in 2007, claimed that he and another businessman, Michael Michaels, had provided Bush and his family with cash, a car, rent-free use of a house and other gifts while he played at USC in 2004 and 2005 with the expectation Bush would sign with Lake and his fledgling sports management company, New Era Sports & Entertainment. The first case was settled in April 2010, just before Bush and Michaels were scheduled to be deposed. But Lake's account of their arrangement, which violated NCAA rules, had already prompted a firestorm, one that ultimately ended in severe sanctions for USC's football program, the vacating of the Trojans' 2004 national title and the return of Bush's Heisman Trophy. Read more: Reggie Bush and USC get Heisman Trophy back 14 years after it was forfeited As college athletes were allowed to receive compensation for use of their name, image and likeness and public opinion began shifting toward Bush, the legendary Trojan running back began sharing more about his experience and the saga that would come to define him. In an appearance on the 'I Am Athlete' podcast, Bush opened up about the emotional toll the case and losing his Heisman Trophy took on him and his family. Bush eventually succeeded in having the Heisman returned to him in 2024. Advertisement Neither of the two men had spoken publicly about the other in more than a decade, abiding by the non-disparagement agreement in their 2010 settlement. At the time of that agreement, all parties involved — including Bush's mother and stepfather — agreed to "not make any statements or representations to any person that may cast another Party to this Agreement in an unfavorable light, that are offensive to or disparage them, or that could adversely affect their name and reputation." But during the 2022 podcast interview, Bush went on to accuse Lake of blackmail and exaggerate Lake's criminal record, which he said was 'as long as the Cheesecake Factory menu.' Months later, in a Twitter post, Bush falsely accused Lake of being a convicted rapist. The same week the podcast was published, the Gunners' home was vandalized with graffiti. The threatening message left behind, written in red spray paint on an outside wall, read: 'Help Reggie Bush Get His Trophy Back F— Crook.' The number '187' was also spray painted on the wall, which the plaintiff attorneys say referred to the state Penal Code number for murder. They blamed the graffiti on 'unknown bad actors' working 'on behalf of or at the direction of Bush.' Read more: An interview with the man jurors in McNair vs. NCAA wanted to hear from: Lloyd Lake Advertisement Lake's attorneys first sought to bring the case to a jury trial. But a judge ruled in June 2024, that Lake's lawsuit against Bush would go to binding, confidential arbitration, per the terms of their original settlement. The arbitrator in the case, Jeffrey G. Benz, ultimately ruled in Lake's favor, awarding him $500,000, as well as $764,640 in attorneys' fees and $116,780 in other costs, according to court documents. Still, Bush's attorneys continued to challenge the ruling by arguing that Benz had exceeded his authority as the arbitrator. Their latest challenge was quashed this week by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Eric Harmon, who took only a few hours to reaffirm the arbitrator's decision. But Bush and his legal team succeeded, in one respect: Bush's responses to Lake's petition, as well as other supporting exhibits and documents pertaining to Bush's side of the case, remain under seal or heavily redacted. Sign up for more USC news with Times of Troy. In your inbox every Monday morning. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Judge rules Reggie Bush must pay Lloyd Lake $1.4 million in defamation case
Lloyd Lake, the San Diego man at the center of the Reggie Bush extra benefits saga, scored a major legal victory this week over the former USC running back after a Van Nuys judge upheld an arbitrator's decision to award Lake nearly $1.4 million in his defamation suit against Bush. Lake filed the suit against Bush back in February 2023 — along with his parents, Roy and Barbara Gunner — alleging that Bush publicly disparaged and defamed him during a podcast appearance and in social media posts and, as such, violated the non-disparagement clause they agreed upon in a previous settlement. The comments, according to Lake and his parents' complaint, 'created a firestorm of vitriol' that saw the Gunner home vandalized with graffiti and left them fearing for their safety. The judge's decision this week came more than 15 years after the first explosive lawsuit between the two men was settled. That suit, which Lake first filed in 2007, claimed that he and another businessman, Michael Michaels, had provided Bush and his family with cash, a car, rent-free use of a house and other gifts while he played at USC in 2004 and 2005 with the expectation Bush would sign with Lake and his fledgling sports management company, New Era Sports & Entertainment. The first case was settled in April 2010, just before Bush and Michaels were scheduled to be deposed. But Lake's account of their arrangement, which violated NCAA rules, had already prompted a firestorm, one that ultimately ended in severe sanctions for USC's football program, the vacating of the Trojans' 2004 national title and the return of Bush's Heisman Trophy. As college athletes were allowed to receive compensation for use of their name, image and likeness and public opinion began shifting toward Bush, the legendary Trojan running back began sharing more about his experience and the saga that would come to define him. In an appearance on the 'I Am Athlete' podcast, Bush opened up about the emotional toll the case and losing his Heisman Trophy took on him and his family. Bush eventually succeeded in having the Heisman returned to him in 2024. Neither of the two men had spoken publicly about the other in more than a decade, abiding by the non-disparagement agreement in their 2010 settlement. At the time of that agreement, all parties involved — including Bush's mother and stepfather — agreed to 'not make any statements or representations to any person that may cast another Party to this Agreement in an unfavorable light, that are offensive to or disparage them, or that could adversely affect their name and reputation.' But during the 2022 podcast interview, Bush went on to accuse Lake of blackmail and exaggerate Lake's criminal record, which he said was 'as long as the Cheesecake Factory menu.' Months later, in a Twitter post, Bush falsely accused Lake of being a convicted rapist. The same week the podcast was published, the Gunners' home was vandalized with graffiti. The threatening message left behind, written in red spray paint on an outside wall, read: 'Help Reggie Bush Get His Trophy Back F— Crook.' The number '187' was also spray painted on the wall, which the plaintiff attorneys say referred to the state Penal Code number for murder. They blamed the graffiti on 'unknown bad actors' working 'on behalf of or at the direction of Bush.' Lake's attorneys first sought to bring the case to a jury trial. But a judge ruled in June 2024, that Lake's lawsuit against Bush would go to binding, confidential arbitration, per the terms of their original settlement. The arbitrator in the case, Jeffrey G. Benz, ultimately ruled in Lake's favor, awarding him $500,000, as well as $764,640 in attorneys' fees and $116,780 in other costs, according to court documents. Still, Bush's attorneys continued to challenge the ruling by arguing that Benz had exceeded his authority as the arbitrator. Their latest challenge was quashed this week by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Eric Harmon, who took only a few hours to reaffirm the arbitrator's decision. But Bush and his legal team succeeded, in one respect: Bush's responses to Lake's petition, as well as other supporting exhibits and documents pertaining to Bush's side of the case, remain under seal or heavily redacted.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC women's basketball's Kennedy Smith named to Team USA AmeriCup roster
Beginning next week, the 2025 Women's AmeriCup basketball tournament will take place in Santiago, Chile. On Thursday, Team USA released its roster for the tournament. Making the team was USC rising sophomore Kennedy Smith. Smith is coming off an impressive true freshman season at USC. On the year, she averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 2.0 assists per contest. 'Kennedy. Smith,' USC head women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb wrote on social media following the announcement. 'So dang proud. Great roster.' The AmeriCup tournament will run from June 28 through July 6. The U.S. teams consists of the top women's college basketball players in the country. (WNBA players are not able to participate due to it taking place in the middle of their season.) Were she healthy, USC's Juju Watkins would have likely been the headliner of the team. With Watkins currently recovering from the ACL tear she suffered during the NCAA Tournament, Smith is the only Trojan headed to Santiago.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Andrew Vorhees in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 72 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we take a look at former USC All-America offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2017-2022 Career highlights: It did not take long for Vorhees to earn a starting role at USC, emerging as the Trojans' right guard by the fifth game of his true freshman year in 2017. Outside of the 2019 season—in which he missed all but two games due to an ankle injury—he held down a starting role for the rest of his time on campus. Taking advantage of his extra COVID year of eligibility in 2022, Vorhees emerged as one of the top offensive linemen in the country. He was named a first-team All-American that season, and won the Morris Trophy as the top lineman in the Pac-12 Conference. Vorhees's blocking played an instrumental role in USC quarterback Caleb Williams winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy. After USC: At the 2023 NFL combine, Vorhees tore his ACL during the on-field drills portion of the event. Despite this, however, he still remarkably put up 38 reps on the bench press, drawing national acclaim for his perseverance. The Baltimore Ravens selected Vorhees in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL draft. After missing his entire rookie season due to the aforementioned ACL injury, he returned to the field in 2024 and saw significant playing time at offensive guard. Vorhees will look to play an even bigger role for the team in 2025.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Zach Banner in focus
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Zach Banner in focus The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 73 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we take a look at former USC offensive lineman Zach Banner. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2012-2016 Career highlights: Banner redshirted his first year at USC in 2012 and missed the majority of the 2013 season with a hip injury. As a redshirt sophomore in 2014, he won USC's starting right tackle job, a role that he would hold down for the next three years. In both 2015 and 2016, Banner was named first-team All-Pac-12. During his 2016 redshirt senior season, Banner served as a team captain and helped lead the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State. After USC: The Indianapolis Colts selected Banner in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. However, he was waived prior to the team's first game of the season. The following day, Banner was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns, with whom he would spend his rookie year. After being released by the Browns, and a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers, Banner signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, for whom he would play from 2018-2021. He was released by Pittsburgh in 2022. After nearly three years out of football, Banner signed with the UFL's Houston Roughnecks this past March.
