Villanova Legend Kris Jenkins Sues NCAA, Big East

Former Villanova Wildcat Kris Jenkins knocked down one of the most famous shots in NCAA history on April 4, 2016, his buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Wildcats their second national championship. Now he wants to receive his due profits from the iconic moment.

Jenkins filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court — Southern District of New York on April 5, 2025, naming the NCAA and a handful of its power conferences — the PAC-12, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC and Big East — as defendants.

Villanova University is not named among the defendants, although the school is mentioned repeatedly on account of revenue earned as a result of the championship.

What the Suit Says

The suit cites Villanova’s earned revenue from the 2016 championship at $11.4 million, also mentioning increased alumni donations, academic applications and enrollment and revenue at the campus bookstore.

It also accuses the NCAA of violating antitrust laws prior to the beginning of the Name, Image and Likeness deal era on July 1, 2021, which allowed student-athletes to receive compensation. In addition to seeking compensation for his efforts, Jenkins’ suit looks out for his fellow athletes, asking for “a declaratory judgement declaring as void the NCAA’s Bylaws that operate to impose restrictions on the compensation Division I student-athletes can receive from the schools, conferences or third parties [such as television networks, mentioned throughout the suit] for their NIL rights or athletic services.”

Kris Jenkins opted out of participating in the House v. NCAA class action lawsuit settled in May 2024, when the NCAA agreed to pay out $2.75 billion to athletes active between 2016 and 2024 (and at least $20.5 million per year moving forward) as a result of their revenue generated via broadcast rights. As such, he retains his right to litigation.

After four seasons with Villanova, Jenkins spent time in the NBA G-League and Germany’s ProA before hanging up his basketball shoes. He rejoined the Wildcats in 2020, helping the basketball team with student athlete development.