Former USC Player Sues Over Alleged Racist Tirade and NIL Dispute

Former USC basketball player Chad Baker-Mazara has filed a lawsuit against the University of Southern California and head coach Eric Musselman, alleging he was dismissed from the team following a racist tirade and that the university then withheld promised NIL payments. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims Musselman directed a profanity-laced, racially charged outburst at Baker-Mazara after a February 28 loss to Nebraska, telling him to "Go back to the f---ing Dominican Republic!" and "Nobody wants you here!" According to the complaint, Baker-Mazara was dismissed from the team the following day without an investigation or stated reason. The lawsuit characterizes Musselman's remarks as a direct attack on Baker-Mazara's Dominican heritage and national origin, made from a position of authority in front of his teammates. Baker-Mazara, who was USC's leading scorer for much of the 2025-26 season, alleges the tirade was unprovoked and discriminatory. USC has denied the allegations, stating in a public comment that the decision to remove Baker-Mazara from the roster "was based on a number of considerations, none having to do with race.