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New York Times
08-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Judge dismisses 1983 NC State basketball players' lawsuit vs. NCAA over NIL use
A North Carolina judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit from members of the 1983 North Carolina State men's national championship team that argued the NCAA illegally denied them name, image and likeness compensation. Coached by the late Jim Valvano, the 1983 title team remains one of the most memorable Cinderella stories in American sports. The Wolfpack beat Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler's powerful Houston team 54-52 on a buzzer-beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles in the national championship game. The team was famously dubbed the Cardiac Pack. Advertisement Superior Court Judge Mark A. Davis dismissed the lawsuit in a 44-page filing, saying it was filed too late. 'Because their claims are untimely, barred by their failure to allege a violation of a legally enforceable right, and preempted by the federal Copyright Act, dismissal of this action in its entirety is appropriate,' Davis wrote. Twelve members of the team filed the lawsuit in Wake County, N.C., Superior Court last year, arguing the NCAA has used their historic victory to make millions of dollars promoting March Madness. Star guards Dereck Whittenburg, who is currently an administrator at NC State, and former NBA head coach Sidney Lowe were not part of the lawsuit. The group included Thurl Bailey, Walt Densmore, Tommy DiNardo, Terry Gannon, George McClain, Cozell McQueen, Walter Proctor, Ernie Myers, Quinton Leonard, Harold Thompson and Mike Warren. They requested a trial by jury and sought 'reasonable compensation for the appropriation of' their names, images and likenesses, with the lawsuit pointing out how NIL use continues to generate revenue for the NCAA after athletes leave college. 'We are proud of these Cardiac Pack players who stood up in the national fight for justice against a system that colludes to exploit young and often vulnerable student athletes,' attorney Stacy Miller, who represented the group of players, told WRAL. Miller did not immediately respond to The Athletic's request for comment. Following Davis' dismissal, the NCAA said it was 'pleased' with the decision. 'The court definitively examined and dismissed the claims, not only as untimely, but also finding that there is no enforceable right of publicity in game broadcasts and that federal Copyright law would preempt any such right if there were one,' the NCAA said in a statement to The Athletic. 'We are hopeful that several of the copycat cases will be similarly treated by other courts.' Advertisement Since the NCAA changed its rules in 2021 to allow college athletes to earn money through sponsorship and endorsement deals, high-profile athletes have routinely earned hundreds of thousands of dollars — even millions — in NIL compensation. The recent House vs. NCAA settlement will pay $2.8 billion in damages to former and current college athletes who were denied NIL compensation, dating back to 2016. The settlement agreement also cleared the way for schools to begin directly compensating athletes, starting this year. (Photo of former NC State head coach Jim Valvano: Malcolm Emmons / Imagn Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Reuters
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Judge dismisses NIL lawsuit by NC State's "Cardiac Pack" team
August 8 - More than four decades after North Carolina State stunned Houston in the 1983 NCAA men's basketball championship game, a North Carolina judge has dismissed a lawsuit claiming the Wolfpack deserve NIL compensation stemming from their famed title run. On Thursday morning, the Wake County (N.C.) Clerk of Superior Court posted the ruling made by Superior Court Judge Mark A. Davis that dismissed the suit filed in June 2024. "In this lawsuit, twelve former members of North Carolina State University's ("NC State") 1983 NCAA men's basketball championship team have sued the NCAA for using - without permission - their names, images, and likenesses contained in copyrighted game footage from that season," Davis wrote at the start of a 44-page order. "Because their claims are untimely, barred by their failure to allege a violation of a legally enforceable right, and preempted by the federal Copyright Act, dismissal of this action in its entirety is appropriate." The members of the "Cardiac Pack," which defeated Hakeem Olajuwon's heavily favored Houston Cougars on Lorenzo Charles' buzzer-beating dunk, stated the NCAA and its partners have capitalized illegally on footage such as the championship game's dramatic finish -- which started with Dereck Whittenberg's last-second heave that missed the rim and concluded with NC State coach Jim Valvano spinning all over the court looking for people to hug. NC State standouts Thurl Bailey, Terry Gannon and Cozell McQueen were among the players filing the suit. Neither Whittenberg, an associate athletic director at NC State, nor Sidney Lowe, a Detroit Pistons assistant coach, were part of the suit. One player, Quinton Leonard III, was represented by the administrator of his estate. Charles, who died on June 27, 2011, in a bus accident, was not represented. The NCAA asked the court to dismiss the suit, citing a ruling made in April that rejected claims by Kansas' Mario Chalmers -- who hit a famous shot near the end of the 2008 NCAA title game -- and others that they deserve NIL compensation for March Madness advertisements. The judge in that case noted a four-year statute of limitations for federal antitrust violations. The former NC State players' lawyer, Raleigh-based Stacy Miller, did not agree with Davis' ruling. "This case has always been about standing up for young athletes and shining a spotlight on the NCAA's abusive practices and continued profiteering off its historical wrongs," Miller told WRAL. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wake DA primary: Will a rare race with no incumbent mean change?
After more than a decade as Wake County's top prosecutor, Lorrin Freeman's plans to retire leaves one of North Carolina's most powerful legal posts up for grabs in 2026. It's the first time an incumbent hasn't run for district attorney in Wake in more than 10 years. And just the third time in 40 years. Like other district attorneys across the state, the Wake DA decides whether to seek the death penalty in murder cases, whether to investigate and prosecute local police and what diversion programs to offer to allow people to try to erase their criminal charges or stay out of prison. But this DA post is a bigger job than in most North Carolina. Since Raleigh is the state capital, the local DA has extra duties. Freeman has directed investigations into accusations against state government officials, including Gov. Governor Josh Stein while he was attorney general in 2022 and former treasurer Dale Folwell in 2024, for instance. It was she who decided to investigate but not prosecute two state Highway Patrol members she concluded had conspired to lie after a fatal crash in Raleigh. Two Democrats have already announced they are candidates for a March 2026 primary, with influential supporters announcing endorsements and fundraisers even though voting is more than six months away. Freeman endorsed Sherita Walton, a former prosecutor turned Raleigh police attorney and the first Black candidate in recent memory, according to interviews. Freeman's predecessor Colon Willoughby, Wake DA for 28 years, endorsed Melanie Shekita. Shekita grew up in Raleigh and spent 27 years as a prosecutor in the Wake. This race may have a third contender, too. Former U.S. House member Wiley Nickel, who recently pulled out of the U.S. Senate primary campaign to make room for former Gov. Roy Cooper, may also run, according to several news reports. Nickel declined to comment through a spokesperson. When asked about the former state and federal legislator's potential run, Freeman said the community has benefited from a tradition that keeps partisan politics out of local courts. 'Being District Attorney is a highly demanding and critical role for our community and ideally isn't someone's afterthought,' Freeman wrote in a text. Whoever wins what could be a compelling and competitive Democratic primary in March may well succeed Freeman, as Democrats have historically won the Wake DA race. Who is Melanie Shekita? After working in the DA's office for 27 years, Shekita, 53, had already been thinking about whether she would run whenever Freeman decided to retire. After Freeman announced her decision at a staff meeting in May, Shekita said she decided her experience makes her the best person for the job. Shekita grew up in Raleigh, attended UNC-Chapel Hill and then Campbell Law School in Buies Creek. She interned and later went to work at the Wake DA's office for nearly three decades. 'It makes me uniquely qualified to make sure that this office continues to be the best office in the state,' Shekita said. Shekita currently oversees the Wake office's special victims unit, which handles crimes against children and certain sexual assaults. Willoughby, who hired Shekita as an assistant district attorney, agrees she is the best candidate. He lauded her 'dedication to the office and her commitment to victims.' As DA, Shekita's top priorities would be working to curb gun violence by targeting offenders and prosecuting them as quickly as possible, she said. She also wants to address an increasing trend of youth with guns and focus on recruiting and retaining prosecutors. Who is Sherita Walton? Walton, 47, didn't plan on running for district attorney. That was until Freeman met her for lunch and encouraged her to run, Walton said. Walton took some time to reflect on her career and her faith, she said, and realized it was time for her to step up. 'I felt called to lead, and to bring about the kind of justice that is possible when doing what's right is the goal,' she said. Walton grew up in Brooklyn, attending Binghamton University and law school at Pace University in White Plains, NY. She worked in private practice in New York City, and then served as a prosecutor in Manhattan. In 2016, Walton and her husband moved to North Carolina, looking for a better environment to raise their two children, she said. Walton worked for Freeman until 2021, when she accepted a job with the city of Raleigh advising police during serious events and handling requests for officer dashboard- and body-camera footage. Her diverse experience will allow her to 'elevate our office to meet the demands of one of the fastest growing counties in the nation,' Freeman said. Walton's first priority as DA would be cases that threaten the community's public safety, which includes violent offenses and sexual assaults, she said. She would also emphasize integrity and compassion, she said, and take pains to be sure that victims and defendants understand how they should be treated. Wake DA election dynamics Incumbent DAs don't just run often, they often win handily. The trend held in 2022, even when Freeman faced a highly critical, nearly yearlong challenge from Democratic candidate and defense attorney Damon Chetson. Chetson, along with other more left-leaning Democrats, criticized Freeman's decision not to denounce the death penalty or drop charges against people charged with low-level marijuana offenses. They also criticized her handling of cases involving police and said there was too little diversity among prosecutors in her office. An anonymous group created a website — — and placed billboards on box trucks to criticize Freeman, saying she put 'police above the law' and was 'the most bloodthirsty prosecutor in North Carolina.' But voters ultimately supported Freeman, who received nearly 60% of the vote in the Democratic primary. In the general election, she won more than 60% of the vote against Republican Jeff Dobson. Like Freeman, Walton and Shekita would not denounce the death penalty, they said. Also like Freeman, they said that low-level marijuana cases would be a low priority, but neither would agree to not enforce state laws. Durham County's district attorney has said she won't prosecute low-level marijuana charges, and some people have pushed for Freeman to do the same. But both women said their leadership would differ from Freeman's in some ways. Walton would work to better inform the public on what is happening in the Wake DA's office and the criminal justice system, she said. Shekita said she would focus more on staff retention and spend more time in court than Freeman has. At least one local civil rights advocate, Dawn Blagrove of Emancipate NC, said she isn't impressed with those known or expected to run for the big-impact position, saying they wouldn't bring enough reforms. Blagrove, who leads the civil rights organization, is a frequent critic of Freeman and has participated in press conferences and events criticizing her for not pressing charges against police officers accused of misconduct. 'The two candidates that we have are so deeply rooted in the establishment, have been endorsed by the establishment in a way that I am hoping will not be palatable to a lot of people right now,' she said. There is still plenty of time for other Democrats and Republicans to join the race. The deadline to announce is Dec. 19. Virginia Bridges covers criminal justice in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer. Her work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The N&O maintains full editorial control of its journalism. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Twitch livestreamer Chrispymate is struck by LIGHTNING while sharing video of himself playing computer games
A Twitch streamer was struck by lightning while sharing a video of himself playing computer games inside his North Carolina home. Christian Howard, known online as Chrispymate, was shocked by a bolt of lightning during a storm in southern Wake County on July 19. He was livestreaming when he felt a heavy pressure followed by an electric shock in his ears, where he was wearing earphones partially made out of metal. 'Bro, I just got struck by lightning,' Howard, 27, told the stream. 'I had my earbuds in. A big thing of lightning hit. I felt lightning go through my ears.' The shock sent a 'little zap' into his body and made his vision temporarily go 'white', Howard told WRAL News. He ended the stream shortly after the jolt and immediately went to check on his cats after the incident to ensure that they had not been impacted. Howard, whose fans were concerned after watching him get shocked on live stream, was not injured in the incident. The odds of being struck by lightning are one in 15,300, but officials note that certain parts of the US, specifically states along the Gulf Coast, are hotspots for bolts. Howard compared the incident to being blasted with sound from the front row of a rock concert. 'It felt as if you were in the front row and the drummer just hit one good thwack and all the bass just hits went into my ears,' he told the news outlet. 'At the same time, if you were to take a gum strip gag toy, and just pull it, you get that little zap. I had both of those sensations. My vision went white, and then I bolted.' Common side effects of lightning strikes include loss of consciousness, confusion and amnesia, according to the National Institutes of Health. Howard, luckily, did not suffer any symptoms following the incident, but did claim he felt like he had 'super strength' afterwards. 'I haven't gone to a full sprint just yet,' he told Fox Weather. 'But, I did get super strength the next day. I had the best gym session I've ever had.' Howard said the whole experience was rather 'intense' and moving forward plans to take extra precautions ahead of incoming storms. Although most lightning strikes happen while a person is outside, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns strikes do occur indoors. Lightning - which is an electrical current - can travel through electrical systems, radios, TVs, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring, the CDC says. Experts say people should avoid using any devices connected to an electrical outlet, including computers, laptops, gaming systems or appliances, during storms. Americans experience 36.8 million ground strikes annually, with Florida being hit the most, data published by the University of Wisconsin-Madison last year revealed. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area alone had over 120,000 lightning strikes in 2023. Meteorologists also found that Louisiana had the highest volume of deadly 'cloud-to-ground' lightning strikes and 'Tornado Alley' also receives its fair share of bolts. An average of 28 people in the US were killed by lightning every year between 2006 and 2023, the research report found. According to the National Lightning Safety Council, at least 12 people have already died from lightning strikes in 2025.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wiley Nickel plans to suspend campaign, endorse Roy Cooper for Senate: Sources
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A source close to Wiley Nickel's campaign said the former congressman plans to drop out of the senate race and fully endorse former governor Roy Cooper's run for Senate. The source told CBS 17 Nickel intends to make the announcement next week, and is now considering a run for Wake County District Attorney. The announcement coincides with sources telling CBS 17 Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley plans to run for the Senate seat left vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis, and speculation surrounding Roy Cooper's possible run. A representative for Cooper said his announcement on whether he will run for Senate or not would be made in the 'coming days.' Whatley, a North Carolina native, and Lara Trump, his former RNC co-chair and President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, were both speculated to have been considering a run. However, she ultimately decided not to enter the race. With Nickel planning on dropping out of the race, the field for a potential Cooper Senate run is clear. With The Hill reporting that Whatley has President Trump's blessing, Mitch Kokai with the conservative John Locke Foundation, said another Republican running for Sen. Tillis' seat in unlikely. Kokai said a Trump Endorsement essentially ends the prospect of a competitive primary for Republicans. 'I think this effectively ends the Republican race to succeed Tom Tillis with Michael Whatley in the race having the support of Donald Trump, it is very doubtful that any other major credible contender on the Republican side will want to get in.' Kokai said. 'Not only because it would be a tough uphill race, but also because it will be hard to get any kind of high level campaign consultant, a significant campaign organization and big money donors.' Anderson Clayton, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, told CBS 17 what she believes voters will be looking for in this race. 'We've been to rural counties all across North Carolina, twenty-five in the last two months alone and the number one thing I hear from Democrats is they're excited to see Governor Cooper get in this race.' Clayton said. 'We as a state party don't endorse state primaries, but I do think that the will of the people are definitely going to speak for us and we're excited to see what he ends up doing' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
