Baseball legend Frank Thomas is suing the Chicago White Sox, his former team for 16 years.
According to TMZ, Thomas is suing the White Sox for reportedly using his name to sell team merchandise without his permission. Per the report, the suit was filed last week in Illinois, with the White Sox, Nike and Fanatics all being targeted.
The suit reportedly regards to last year's City Connect 2.0 jersey. Thomas and his lawyers contend that his name and number were used on the jersey and sold without his consent and without giving him compensation. Thomas is asserting "economic detriment" and "loss of licensing revenue, and economic value associated with controlling the commercial use of his name and likeness."
Speaking to TMZ, Thomas' lawyer William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio said that the complaint alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act. The amount of damages being sought has not been announced.
“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act," Gibbs said. "Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”
Thomas played 2,322 games, mostly with the White Sox over a two-decade career, and finished his career with 521 home runs and 1,465 runs batted in. He was a two-time AL MVP, the 1997 AL batting champion, a five-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger. Perhaps most important to so many baseball fans, he was never once implicated in the infamous Steroid Trials.
The White Sox have honored the man in almost every way they can, giving him a statue and retiring his No. 35 jersey.
Thomas was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
