DENVER — An Olympic moguls skier who wants to play football for the University of Colorado sued the NCAA on Thursday, saying it unfairly restricted his ability to continue skiing professionally.
Jeremy Bloom, 20, who could have been a Buffaloes wide receiver last year, put off college to compete in the Salt Lake City Olympics, where he placed ninth.
In the lawsuit filed in Boulder County District Court, Bloom argues that if he plays for the Buffaloes this year, he would be forced to give up professional skiing, a modeling contract and a developing acting career because of the NCAA's interpretation of its regulations.
He had petitioned the NCAA to allow him to receive money, equipment and apparel from ski endorsements while he played football. He argued that since freestyle skiing wasn't an NCAA sport, there wasn't a conflict.
NCAA rules allow a player to compete professionally in one sport while participating as an amateur in a collegiate sport, but players are prohibited from endorsing any products based on their "athletics ability."
NCAA spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said the lawsuit was premature because Bloom's petition is pending before an NCAA subcommittee. She said she expected the panel to decide the matter next week.
"What our member institutions have concerns about is the exploitation of our student-athletes," she said. "At this point, we need to have our process that is available to our member institutions be concluded."
The lawsuit seeks to allow Bloom to keep his World Cup moguls championship title; to allow him to continue skiing professionally and receive sponsorship compensation; to allow him to keep his modeling contract with clothes maker Tommy Hilfiger and to allow him to pursue an acting career.
It also asks the judge to prevent the NCAA from limiting or preventing Bloom from playing football for Colorado if he continues to ski, act and model, and to award Bloom attorneys' fees.
"Although the NCAA will permit this 'student-athlete' to perform on the football field for its benefit, the NCAA will forbid this student-athlete from using his other skills to further his education, sustain himself and build a lifelong career," the lawsuit said.
Bloom has worked out in Boulder with the Buffaloes this year.