logo
Judge rules Reggie Bush must pay Lloyd Lake $1.4 million in defamation case

Judge rules Reggie Bush must pay Lloyd Lake $1.4 million in defamation case

Yahoo20-06-2025
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Eagles Insider Predicts Big Season Ahead for DeVonta Smith
Eagles Insider Predicts Big Season Ahead for DeVonta Smith

Newsweek

time13 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Eagles Insider Predicts Big Season Ahead for DeVonta Smith

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Just as the Philadelphia Eagles lost another wide receiver to an injury, another one returned to the practice field on Monday morning. After missing a few sessions, DeVonta Smith was back in the fold. According to an Eagles Insider, the veteran wide receiver has been putting together a "special" set of offseason practices as the Eagles head into the 2025 NFL season as the reigning Super Bowl Champions. via @ZBerm: Buy your DeVonta Smith stock now. Practices like today show why DeVonta Smith is so special on the Eagles. The Eagles were working on backed-up situations. Twice, Smith wiggled open (including a got-to-have-it third down) for what looked like easy completions. But they only look easy because of the way Smith wins early in the route. He had a "down" year last year with injury+ run-heavy offense. Expect a bounce-back season from him. Buy your DeVonta Smith stock now. Practices like today show why DeVonta Smith is so special on the Eagles. The Eagles were working on backed-up situations. Twice, Smith wiggled open (including a got-to-have-it third down) for what looked like easy completions. But they only look… — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 4, 2025 Back in 2021, the Eagles scouted Smith out of Alabama. At the time, he was one of the most notable players in the NFL Draft. Fresh off of two National Championship runs and a Heisman Trophy victory, Smith was called on with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Right away, Smith was a full-time starter as he appeared in 17 games during his rookie year. Despite the Eagles' struggles on offense, Smith was a bright spot, catching 64 passes for 916 yards and five touchdowns. By year two, Smith managed to rack up his first 1,000-yard season and added seven touchdowns to go with it. DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the football during the second quarter in the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the football during the second quarter in the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, 2023, Smith missed a little bit of action, but it didn't prevent him from crossing the 1,000-yard threshold once again. He added seven more touchdowns to his career total. The 2024 season didn't go the way Smith had planned. Entering the season with a brand new $75 million extension, there was a lot of pressure on Smith to continue putting up WR1 numbers. Unfortunately, he missed a handful of games. Still, Smith produced well when he was on the field. In 13 games, he caught 68 passes for 833 yards. He reached the endzone eight times, which marked a new career high. When the Eagles went through their championship run, Smith racked up 190 yards in four games. He scored just one touchdown, which happened to be the dagger catch in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. This offseason, the Eagles have been cautious with Smith, who has been dealing with a back injury. Although he missed a few sessions, the star wide receiver is back on the field, helping the team get prepared for its first preseason action, which is set to take place on Thursday. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

Kamloops Blazers Winger Nathan Behm Commits To Arizona State University For The 2026-27 Season
Kamloops Blazers Winger Nathan Behm Commits To Arizona State University For The 2026-27 Season

Yahoo

time15 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Kamloops Blazers Winger Nathan Behm Commits To Arizona State University For The 2026-27 Season

Kamloops Blazers winger Nathan Behm is headed to the NCAA for the 2026-27 season. The 18-year-old announced that he will be headed to Arizona State University after spending one more year in the WHL. Behm has spent his entire career with Kamloops after being drafted 13th overall by the Blazers in the 2022 WHL Draft. Behm is coming off his best year in the WHL. In 59 games, he scored 31 goals while recording 66 points. This past June, Behm was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, going 66th overall to the Chicago Blackhawks. Arizona State University is already home to a few former WHLers. Former Victoria Royals captain Justin Kipkie is slated to patrol their blue line, while former Lethbridge Hurricanes and Edmonton Oil Kings forward Ty Nash will look to provide some offence. Arizona State University also features former Regina Pats forward Braxton Whitehead and former Moose Jaw Warriors forward Casey Brown. Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more from The Hockey News. Brandon Wheat Kings Center Roger McQueen Commits To Providence College 2025 WHL Prospect Pools: Montréal Canadiens Three Incoming WHLers To Play For Czechia At The 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup 11 Current & Former WHLers Named To Canada's 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Roster

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store