A supermarket has been ordered to pay the six-time National Basketball Association champion $8.9 million for using his name as a means of promotion for an ad without his consent.
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A federal jury in Chicago last Friday awarded Jordan a almost 9 million dollar judgment.
In 2013, Jordan was sued for a paternity test and child support.
In a statement quoted by ESPN, Jordan expressed how pleased he was with the court’s decision.
According to Jordan, the $8.9 million will be given to charity.
Yahoo Sports said the jury even asked the judge for a calculator to help them adding all the figures involved in the case. The ad also featured a $2 coupon for a steak.
Jordan’s fame loomed over the case, with one would-be jurors struck from the jury pool after describing Jordan as his idol. During closings, Jordan attorney Frederick Sperling appealed to city pride in trying to persuade jurors to side with Jordan.
“I hope this case sends a clear message, both here in the United States and around the world, that I will continue to be vigilant about protecting my name and identity”.
His lawyer was not immediately available for comment.
Read about other celebrity lawsuits here-some are fascinating, some are plain ridiculous. Jordan reportedly earned $480 million from 2000 to 2012-just from Nike. She is a marketing executive that Jordan hired.
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If it weren’t for the timelessness of Come Fly with Me and Michael Jordan’s Playground, Michael Jordan to the Max would be at the top of this list. Michael Jordan’s name, jersey number and silhouette were used by the store in a 2009 ad for Rancher’s Reserve steaks. “Defenders of all things Jordan insist celebrities must protect their brand and that is true, within reason”, the Chicago Tribune said. The ad you see above ran in a commemorative issue of Sports Illustrated.
