Michael Jordan sues grocery stores

[tweb123]

NBA legend accuses two Chicago-area chains of using his identity without permission. What he's asking for. Michael Jordan wants $10 million from two grocery stores — bagged and carried out to his car — that he says used his identity without permission in ads published in a commemorative Sports Illustrated issue, "Jordan: A Hall of Fame Career."

In the pair of lawsuits filed in Chicago court, Jordan says Dominick's Finer Foods and Jewel Food Stores took their Hall of Fame congratulations a little too far.

According to the suit, the Dominick's ad features MJ's name with the phrase "You are a cut above" and a photo of a steak. (Witty!) Below the congratulations is an ad for $2 off a Rancher's Reserve steak, a trademark of Dominick's parent Safeway.

The mesquite-flavored kicker: There are already two steakhouses and an online steak company named after Jordan. As Matt Bortosik at NBA Chicago points out, there is absolutely no way Jordan would want to sell steaks in direct conflict with his restaurants and companies.

In the Jewel ad, a pair of Jordan's Air Jordan basketball shoes with number 23 on the tongues sit below a message of support that ends with Jewel's friendly "just around the corner" slogan. Apparently, the picture is an "inaccurate and misleading copy" of his famous Nike kicks.

Jordan seeks $5 million from each grocery store for false endorsement, consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices and unfair competition.

While it'd be easy to cynically joke about Michael Jordan, of all people, needing more money, it doesn't mean he should allow himself to be advertised unknowingly. Congratulatory or not, Dominick's and Jewel's advertising departments appear to be at fault.

But hey, if either supermarket chain wants to run a full-page magazine to commemorate The Basketball Jones' 500th episode, by all means, knock yourself out. Might I suggest a Canadian bacon angle

 

[Michaelthomasj]

Get over yourself jordan, and let someone make some money

 

[superman21]

no kiddin. The guy has a lot of money, boo hoo, who cares if a grocery store uses your name.

 

[MEAN V.]

Sounds like he needed some more gambling money

 

[Bionic]

C'mon. Stop hatin'. Right is right.

 

[jdavid1139]

what if the name was superman21???? What then???? property rights are american as apple pie.... Either your with us or against us....

 

[wnt2grow]

Ironic, the day his $175.00 shoes go on sale..hmmm

 

[mooch2321]

sooo...you guys are saying that just because mj is rich that its okay to steal from him? Because thats basically what these companies are doing. Using his image to sell product without compensating him or even getting his permission is wrong, period!

 

[Golgo13]

Good for Jordan. Gotta protect your own brand.

The only entity who should make money from your name is you.

 

[MonkeyBoy]

Jordan has more $$ than GOD but regardless, I think Jordan is doing the right thing. He has to let it be known that you can't use his name to make a profit.

 

[oldfella]

Ask Phil about the penis pump??? LOL.

Seriously, if it were your name and thye smeared it all over mags and tv without your consent you would be pissed off too. I agree he may not need the money but in the end where do you really think all his money comes from?????? Exactly, people paying him to use his identity......................................Hey Phil? What did you do with all the millions you got from the infamous PUMP?? HAHAHAHHAHA