Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Frank Thomas is taking legal action against the team most associated with his career.
Getty
The Hall of Fame slugger has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox, along with Nike and Fanatics, alleging unauthorized use of his name and likeness on merchandise.
At the center of the dispute are the team’s City Connect 2.0 jerseys.
Thomas claims his name has been used on those jerseys without his permission and without compensation. According to the filing, the companies involved profited from sales tied to his identity while he received nothing in return.
“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act,” attorney William T. Gibbs said in a statement. “Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission.”
Thomas is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and has requested a jury trial.
For context, this isn’t just any former player. Thomas is one of the defining figures in White Sox history. He spent the majority of his career in Chicago, won two MVP awards and finished with 521 home runs before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
The White Sox have not publicly responded to the lawsuit. Neither have Nike or Fanatics.
But the claim is straightforward. Thomas says his name was used, and he says he wasn’t paid for it.