In a recent development in the ongoing legal dispute involving former NFL player Michael Oher and the Tuohy family, allegations have surfaced regarding an attempted extortion by Oher. This conflict gains additional complexity due to the family’s central role in Oher’s life story, famously portrayed in the novel and film adaptation, ‘The Blind Side’.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Oher accused the Tuohys of withholding his share of the royalties from ‘The Blind Side’, demanding a substantial payment of $15 million. He allegedly threatened to publicly label them as “fakes” and “thieves” on social media platforms and TMZ if his demands were not met. The documents reveal Oher’s reduction of his demand to $10 million, later increased to $15 million after taxes, accompanied by a deadline for resolution and a threat to expose the family.
The Tuohy family, on their part, presented documentation claiming that both parties received equal royalty payments amounting to $138,309.90. Despite the legal turmoil, the Tuohys maintain their affection for Oher, whom they consider like a son, although they never formally adopted him. This emotional sentiment contrasts with the ongoing legal and reputational battle that Oher has waged against them.
In a notable move, the Tuohys recently updated their website and public speaking materials, eliminating any references to Oher as their adopted son.
The roots of this legal dispute trace back to 2004 when Oher and the Tuohys entered into a conservatorship agreement, with the conservatorship formally ending in a Shelby County court last fall. However, the contention over financial gains from the film and book adaptations of Oher’s story remains unresolved.
Oher’s primary contention is that the Tuohys have capitalized on his name, image, and likeness for personal financial gain without his consent. This claim has escalated to the point where Oher previously requested the court to prohibit the Tuohys from using his persona for commercial purposes.
This legal saga underscores the complex dynamics between Oher and the Tuohy family, a relationship that once seemed like a heartwarming tale of support and kinship but has now evolved into a contentious legal battle.