Hall of Fame players join O'Bannon lawsuit against NCAA

The Ed O'Bannon class-action lawsuit against the NCAA now includes an impressive list of Hall of Fame talent.

More than 50 former college athletes have signed a "Statement of Support" for the O'Bannon lawsuit over image and likeness rights, CBSSports.com reports.

Ten Pro Football Hall of Fame players, including Thurman Thomas, Eric Dickerson and Dan "Danimal" Hampton, signed the letter obtained by CBSSports.com from the office of Michael Hasfield, O'Bannon's lead attorney.

The players are battling the NCAA over the right to use their names for commercial purposes.

The letter reads as follows:

"We, athletes who competed in NCAA sponsored collegiate sporting events, express our full support of and agreement with the lawsuit brought by Ed O'Bannon on behalf of current and former collegiate athletes against the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Further, we wish to call attention to the compelling need for dramatic change in the relationship between college athletes and the NCAA and respect for athlete rights."

The judge in the O'Bannon case has encouraged both sides to discuss coming to a settlement. Failing that, a trial will begin this summer.