This contentious issue has surged into the limelight shortly after Oher, now 37, initiated legal proceedings to dissolve the conservatorship binding him to the Tuohy family.
He alleges that they manipulated him into relinquishing the legal rights to his name for business ventures.
Oher, famed for his role in the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl victory, contends that while the Tuohys profited immensely from the 2009 Oscar-nominated movie based on his life, he was left empty-handed.
In a swift rebuttal, lawyers Randy Fishman and Steven Farese Sr., representing the Tuohy family, dismissed Oher’s claims, assuring the public that a straightforward accounting process will debunk the allegations. They confidently conveyed this to reporters, emphasizing the straightforwardness of the procedure.
Michael Lewis, the author of the book upon which the blockbuster film is founded, echoed this sentiment, affirming that the Memphis family did not amass riches from the movie. Lewis disclosed that he had equitably divided the $250,000 payment he received from 20th Century Fox with the Tuohy family.
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, portrayed in the movie, have corroborated this by sharing that they split their portion of the film deal evenly among the five members of the family, including Oher. Furthermore, they highlighted that the 2.5% stake in future movie earnings, amounting to approximately $500,000, has also been divided among themselves, including their biological children SJ and Collins, as well as Oher. Fishman underscored that Oher received every bit of what he was entitled to, asserting, “Michael got every dime, every dime he had coming.”
The Tuohy family’s legal team also pointed out that Oher was well aware that he had never been formally adopted. The couple’s role as his conservators was mentioned by Oher himself in his 2011 memoir, “I Beat The Odds: From Homeless, To The Blind Side.” The narrative sheds light on Oher’s understanding of the legal dynamics, with him stating, “Since I was already over the age of eighteen and considered an adult by the state of Tennessee, Sean and Leigh Anne would be named as my ‘legal conservators.'”
Farese highlighted Oher’s escalating confrontational stance in recent times, which the family finds distressing, further deepening the strain between them. The Tuohys have characterized Oher’s allegations as an opportunistic attempt at extortion, a bitter twist after over a decade of estrangement between them.
Addressing the conservatorship established by the Tuohys, Fishman pointed out that the intent was not solely to ensure Oher’s path to Ole Miss, their alma mater, but also to provide vital support for Oher’s health insurance, driver’s license, and education. He added that the family is open to terminating the conservatorship if Oher wishes to do so, intending to proceed amicably.
The saga surrounding Michael Oher’s relationship with the Tuohy family, the legacy of “The Blind Side,” and the complex financial dealings underscores the intricate interplay of personal lives, fame, and financial stakes. As the legal tussle continues, the story serves as a reminder that narratives depicted on the big screen often belie the complexities and nuances of real-life relationships and circumstances.
