Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards are among the former Mi…

Former Michigan football stars Denard Robinson and Braylon Edwards are suing the NCAA and Big Ten Network, alleging they lost millions of dollars during their college careers because the association lifted its ban on paying athletes for their name, image and likeness.

The federal antitrust class action lawsuit, dated Monday, was filed in the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of all Michigan football players who played before 2016. Former Wolverines players Mike Martin and Shawn Crable are also plaintiffs.

The NCAA and major college conferences are trying to resolve three antitrust lawsuits related to name, image and likeness compensation for athletes. They have reached a settlement that will pay $2.78 billion in damages to hundreds of thousands of college athletes, dating back to 2016.

The NCAA changed its rules in 2021 to allow athletes to profit from their fame through sponsorships and performing arts deals after decades of a ban.

In a hearing last week, the federal judge overseeing the cases declined to grant preliminary approval of the deal and sent the case back to lawyers to address her concerns about certain aspects of the agreement.

The Michigan lawsuit seeks to recover what stars like Robinson and Edwards were denied when they played, arguing that players should be paid for highlights and replays of their performances that are still used by television stations.

“These iconic moments have been repeatedly shown and replayed on BTN (Big Ten Network) and affiliated networks, helping to maintain the fascination and passion for the sport. They have contributed significantly to the revenue generated by the NCAA and its partners,” the lawsuit reads.

Robinson, a record-breaking passer at Michigan from 2009-12 who earned the nickname Shoelace because he played with his cleats loose, recently worked as a football staffer but was fired in May after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Edwards played from 2001-04 and is considered one of the best wide receivers in school history. He was an All-American who was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns.

Martin played defensive quarterback for the Wolverines from 2008 to 2011. Crable played linebacker from 2003 to 2007.

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