Former USC player sues NCAA, Pac-12 over unpaid wages

Former USC linebacker Lamar Dawson is suing the NCAA and Pac-12 conference for violation of employment laws.

Nathan Fenno of The Los Angeles Times obtained a copy of the class-action lawsuit, in which the ex-Trojan alleges both organizations violated state and federal laws governing wages and hours as "joint employers" of Division I football players.

The lawsuit draws attention to the Pac-12's revenues climbing over $374 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year, and requests payment from the schools and conference for damages for the unpaid overtime and minimum wage that they owe.

Dawson, who played for the program from 2011-15, claims he "was repeatedly paid a substandard wage insofar as he was denied full pay for all hours worked, including overtime pay, and was frequently permitted to work without receiving required minimum wage payments."

A Pac-12 spokesman told Fenno that the conference "has reviewed the lawsuit and will vigorously defend itself," while the NCAA echoed similar sentiments.