Former NFL standout Michael Oher was reportedly granted $100,000 from the proceeds of the movie “The Blind Side,” a sum equivalent to what each member of the Tuohy family, his legal representatives claim.
This revelation comes hot on the heels of Oher, now 37, initiating a petition in a Tennessee probate court to terminate the conservatorship he has with the Tuohy family. Oher contends that he was deceived into allowing them the legal use of his name for business ventures.
The former Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winner alleged that the Tuohys exploited their conservatorship to rake in millions in royalties from the 2009 Oscar-nominated film, while he didn’t receive any compensation.
However, attorneys Randy Fishman and Steven Farese Sr., representing the Tuohys, rebuffed Oher’s allegations and assured reporters on Wednesday that a straightforward accounting process will soon dispel the claims. These remarks were reported by The Tennessean.
Michael Lewis, the author of the book on which the blockbuster movie was based, stated to the Washington Post that the Memphis family did not become wealthy from the film. He disclosed that he shared the $250,000 payment he received from 20th Century Fox with the Tuohy family.
The Tuohys, Sean and Leigh Anne, shared their portion of the earnings evenly among all five family members, which includes Oher. They also confirmed that the 2.5% share of future proceeds from the movie, approximately $500,000, was divided among Sean, Leigh Anne, their biological children (SJ and Collins), and Oher.
Fishman, addressing reporters, emphasized, “Michael received every penny, every penny he was due.” Farese added, “They don’t need his money. They’ve never needed his money. Mr. Tuohy sold his company for $220 million.”
The Tuohys’ legal team underscored that the movie’s royalties didn’t bring them substantial wealth and that Oher was well aware that he hadn’t been legally adopted.
Fishman highlighted that Oher made explicit references to Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy as his conservators in his 2011 memoir, “I Beat The Odds: From Homeless, To The Blind Side.” In the memoir, Oher wrote, “There was one significant event that occurred just after I graduated high school: I became a formal member of the Tuohy family.”
Oher recalled that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy explained that the concept of conservatorship was akin to adoptive parents but tailored to his age, as he was already past eighteen.
Farese expressed concerns about Oher’s recent behavior, noting that he has become progressively more vocal and threatening, which has been unsettling for the family.
The Tuohys are characterizing Oher’s allegations as an unsavory attempt at extortion, particularly after a decade of estrangement between him and the family. They established the conservatorship initially to help Oher with matters such as health insurance, obtaining a driver’s license, and securing college admission.
Fishman clarified that the conservatorship wasn’t set up solely to expedite satisfying NCAA requirements. The Tuohys had a genuine desire to support Oher’s best interests. They are prepared to dissolve the conservatorship if that aligns with Oher’s wishes, intending to address any further issues amicably.