‘The Blind Side’ Inspiration Michael Oher Demanded $15 Million Extortion Payment, Tuohys Claim In Court Filing

Former football star Michael Oher tried to extort $15 million from Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, the couple said in a new court filing.

The Tuohys raised Oher and his story was the basis for the film The Blind Side, which generated $330 million at the box office in 2009 and has continued to earn revenue over the years.

Oher claims the Tuohys received millions for the film while he hadn’t received a single payment initially.

He filed a lawsuit on August 14 against the Tuohys because instead of adopting him, as they said they would, they established a conservatorship and kept millions of dollars from him.

The Tuohy and Alcon Entertainment, the film’s producer, disputed the claim and said that the only way for Oher to attend the University of Mississippi and play football was through the conservatorship.

On the court papers, the Tuohys claimed that the “conservatorship was the tool chosen to accomplish this goal. The conservatorship was formed for the sole purpose of giving [Oher] an opportunity to choose to go to the school of his choice, including Ole Miss.”

Oher claimed that everyone in the Tuohy family, including the children, received at least $225,000 and 2.5% of the film’s proceeds. Additionally, the family collectively made $767,000 from their talent agency.

Documents show that Oher received his payment in ten installments over the last 16 years, starting in 2007. His final payment of $8,480.10 was received on April 17, 2023, after a deduction of 10% commission.

Oher also had his petition to end his conservatorship granted, which he entered nearly 20 years ago at age 18.