A little more than a month after defeating Dominick’s supermarket chain in a high-profile lawsuit, Michael Jordan is going after Chicago-based supermarket chain Jewel-Osco for an alleged unauthorized use of his name in a 2009 Sports Illustrated advertisement.
In a case similar to that of Dominick’s, which resulted in a $8.9 million payout, Jewel-Osco looked to honor Jordan’s career using the Air Jordan 1. Despite removing all Nike or Jordan branding, the ad clearly features a Photoshopped image of a “Patent Leather” Jordan 1 with 23 on the tongue.
According to Chicago Tribune, both parties are ready and willing to go trial in December, but in the wake of Dominick’s judgment U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman urged a settlement for a speedy resolution. “Jordan has an incentive to declare victory and settle now,” Feinerman said. “Things probably aren’t going to get any better for him.”
With what looks like a clear victory for Jordan if the case were to go to trial, Feinerman added, “Jewel saw what happened in the Dominick’s case.”
Although money isn’t the motivation behind the lawsuit for Jordan, the highest paid athlete even after retiring more than 10 years ago, he’s definitely still entitled to it.
