The University is demanding that promoters stop using copyrighted images of its men's basketball players and trademarked logos to advertise parties.
Pictures of senior T.J. Thompson and junior Pops Mensah-Bonsu were used on palm cards promoting a Thursday night party at Daedalus nightclub, for which the players were listed as hosts. The party's promoters said they had the players' permission to use the pictures for the palm card, which if true could put Mensah-Bonsu's remaining year of collegiate eligibility in jeopardy.
NCAA rules state that student-athletes lose their eligibility if they permit the use of their names or pictures "to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind." The rules also state that if the student-athlete is not aware of the use of their likeness, "they or the University is required to take steps to stop such an activity."
Reached by phone Sunday, Mensah-Bonsu said he was not aware that his photograph was being used to promote the party, at which he and Thompson were seen.
"I wasn't really involved (in promoting the party)," he said. "I didn't know about (the photograph being used on the palm cards) but I didn't think it's a big deal."
He also denied an ESPN.com report that he had signed with an agent, a move that would bar him from returning to GW next year should he go unselected in the June NBA Draft. Mensah-Bonsu told The Hatchet last month that he was entering the draft.
On Friday, ESPN.com reported that the forward would hire agent John Greig to represent him. The report also said Mensah-Bonsu has received lucrative offers from teams in Europe. The agent did not return an e-mail seeking comment on Friday night.
"It's definitely not true," Mensah-Bonsu said of the ESPN report. "I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my team or eligibility at all."
Mensah-Bonsu is eligible to play at GW for one more year should he decide to return, while Thompson will graduate in May and will not return.
Pictures of senior T.J. Thompson and junior Pops Mensah-Bonsu were used on palm cards promoting a Thursday night party at Daedalus nightclub, for which the players were listed as hosts. The party's promoters said they had the players' permission to use the pictures for the palm card, which if true could put Mensah-Bonsu's remaining year of collegiate eligibility in jeopardy.
NCAA rules state that student-athletes lose their eligibility if they permit the use of their names or pictures "to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind." The rules also state that if the student-athlete is not aware of the use of their likeness, "they or the University is required to take steps to stop such an activity."
Reached by phone Sunday, Mensah-Bonsu said he was not aware that his photograph was being used to promote the party, at which he and Thompson were seen.
"I wasn't really involved (in promoting the party)," he said. "I didn't know about (the photograph being used on the palm cards) but I didn't think it's a big deal."
He also denied an ESPN.com report that he had signed with an agent, a move that would bar him from returning to GW next year should he go unselected in the June NBA Draft. Mensah-Bonsu told The Hatchet last month that he was entering the draft.
On Friday, ESPN.com reported that the forward would hire agent John Greig to represent him. The report also said Mensah-Bonsu has received lucrative offers from teams in Europe. The agent did not return an e-mail seeking comment on Friday night.
"It's definitely not true," Mensah-Bonsu said of the ESPN report. "I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my team or eligibility at all."
Mensah-Bonsu is eligible to play at GW for one more year should he decide to return, while Thompson will graduate in May and will not return.
