MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Court TV) — On the heels of last week’s bombshell allegations that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy made themselves Michael Oher’s conservators rather than officially adopt him, the retired NFL player is now alleging that he has not profited from the use of his name, image or likeness over the past 19 years.
(L) Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy stand on a street in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)/ (R) Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher sits on the beach during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Baltimore, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Oher, whose life story inspired the 2009 film “The Blind Side,” is now seeking access to the Tuohys’ financial records dating back to 2004.
In documents obtained by Court TV, Oher claimed in a Tennessee probate court earlier this week that the Tuohys disregarded “their statutory and fiduciary duties” by not filing “timely accounting once in 19 years.”
Oher and his attorneys contend that because of the Tuohys’ negligence, he was not afforded the opportunity to negotiate on his own behalf during deals such as those for the film rights. According to the legal filing, Oher does not know how much income the Tuohys netted by using his name and likeness, and maintains he never granted them permission to use his image in order to “enrich themselves” at his expense.
The Tuohys spoke out against last week’s claims, saying the conservatorship was established so that Oher would be eligible to play for Ole Miss. Oher, now 37, is seeking an end to the conservatorship, and an injunction barring the Tuohys from future use of his name and likeness in addition to a review of the family’s finances. The Tuohys announced last week that they were willing to end the conservatorship.
WATCH: Tuohy Family Attorney Defends Michael Oher Conservatorship
The Tuohys maintain that each of them — Sean, Leigh Anne, Oher, and the Tuohys’ two biological children — made about $100,000 apiece for “The Blind Side” film. Oher, however, says he was not included in that deal, and that the four Tuohys were each paid $225,000 for the film as well as 2.5% of its proceeds.
