• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot
Law

‘Last Chance U’ Participants File $30M Lawsuit Against Netflix, Others

Six players alleged their reputations were tarnished without compensation by Netflix’s “Last Chance U.”

Isaiah Wright, a running back featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U, is playing football for the Alcoa Alloys, a semipro team with the Interactive American Football League on Saturday, April 6, 2019.
Isaiah Wright/Credit: IMAGN IMAGES

Six former Mississippi junior college football players alleged they were portrayed in a false light and received no compensation for appearing in the Netflix docuseries Last Chance U, according to a lawsuit against Netflix and others obtained by Front Office Sports

The players are seeking $30 million in damages in the lawsuit filed this month in Los Angeles. In the complaint, the six alleged they were portrayed in a “misleading, offensive, or highly objectionable” manner over the first two seasons of Last Chance U and received no money despite the series’ success. The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), East Mississippi Community College, Condé Nast, which was among the production companies involved in the series, and the series’ director/executive producer were also listed as defendants. 

“Make no mistake, each of the defendants have been unjustly enriched by intruding upon the private lives of the plaintiffs, taking unfair advantage of them through defendants’ superior bargaining power, manipulating many of plaintiffs’ characters, along with other means for their own financial gain while sacrificing any decent reputation plaintiffs had,” the players’ attorney, John Pierce, wrote in the lawsuit. 

John Franklin III, Ronald Ollie, Cary Sidney Reavis II, Deandre Johnson, Tim Bonner, and Isaiah Wright (in photo above)—the plaintiffs in the suit—played at East Mississippi Community College during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, which were profiled in the first two seasons of Last Chance U. The football version of the show ran a total of five seasons, the last debuting in 2020. 

Netflix declined comment when reached by FOS.

According to the lawsuit, the players were “continually pestered and faced with repeated demands to sign” contracts without knowing where the show “would be shopped around or marketed for commercial value.”

“Plaintiffs were misled and unaware of the potential commercial value the footage had,” the lawsuit stated. “However, defendants were aware of the high probability the documentary would turn into a highly profitable production.”

The National Junior College Athletic Association “skyrocketed” in popularity and saw increased revenue as a result of Last Chance U. East Mississippi Community College “generated a wealth of revenue by selling player merchandise” and Condé Nast “received a large amount of money from Netflix in exchange for the rights to publish Last Chance U,” according to the complaint. 

“Plaintiffs received no compensation from Netflix, Condé Nast, or any other party for their significant contribution to Last Chance U,” the lawsuit states. NJCAA, EMCC and Condé Nast did not provide comment before publication. Attorney Jason Morrin was the first to report on X that the lawsuit had been filed.  

Ollie alleged his portrayal on the show led the Ravens to not sign him and led the Raiders to release him during the preseason in 2019. 

“The image that Ronald Ollie being lazy, unmotivated, and lacking work ethic is a false narrative,” the lawsuit alleged. “However, Last Chance U portrayed him in a false light which destroyed career opportunities for Ronald Ollie.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Stanford

John Donahoe Taking Over Stanford Sports After Rocky Nike Tenure

John Donahoe will be Stanford’s AD after a four-year stint running Nike.
Happy Gilmore 2

Is ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Really About LIV vs. PGA Tour?

The movie’s main plotline may sound familiar to many golf fans.
Troy Taylor

Ex-Stanford Coach Troy Taylor Sues ESPN for Defamation

Taylor was fired after a pair of 3–9 seasons.
NCAA Track

NIL Collectives Can Still Pay College Athletes, With Some Restrictions

NIL collectives will still play a pivotal role in recruiting.

Featured Today

Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
Feb 20, 2011; Calgary, AB, Canada; Canadian hockey fans wave a flag and display a banner before the Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium. The Flames beat the Canadiens 4-0

Where Does Hockey Go After the Hockey Canada Verdict?

After the sexual assault trial, hockey is split over the path forward.
Marcus Morris
July 30, 2025

Marcus Morris Denies Fraud, Blames Mixup for $260K Casino Debt Arrest

Morris made roughly $107 million across 13 NBA seasons.
Gilbert Arenas
July 31, 2025

Gilbert Arenas Charged With Running Illegal Poker Operation With ‘Organized Crime Figure’

The former NBA player allegedly ran a poker club from his house.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles as New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) is screened by Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden.
July 30, 2025

Tensions Rise After Suns Fire Ex–Security Director

Phoenix faces a slew of lawsuits from former employees.
Jul 22, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (not in uniform) celebrates from the bench in the first quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.
July 29, 2025

Man Who Stalked Clark Gets 2 Years in Prison

He sent more than 800 messages and visited Indianapolis to see Clark.
Katinka Hosszu
July 25, 2025

Swimmers Settle Bulk of Suit Against World Aquatics Over New League

The sides reached a deal earlier this summer.
Hockey Canada
July 24, 2025

Judge Finds All Five Former Hockey Canada Players Not Guilty of Sexual..

The judge said she did not find the accuser’s testimony “credible or reliable.”