Jordan is a GREEDY man

[Canadian Destroyer]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...chael-jordan-5-million-lawsuit-212003601.html

Years ago, Michael Jordan established himself as a dogged competitor that didn’t mind how many bridges he burned or feelings he hurt on his way to getting what he wants. The latest news about the six-time champion and Basketball Hall of Famer, though, is a bit of a low point. In layman’s terms, he’s suing a grocery chain that dared congratulate him in an advertisement that also sold a few steaks. Jordan appeared in court this week to attempt to prove why such a lawsuit is necessary.
When Jordan was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, and prior to the wildly inappropriate speech he gave in the induction ceremonies, local Chicago grocery chain Dominick’s released an ad congratulating Jordan on his accomplishment, while pointing out that, while you’re at it, you can use your Dominick’s card or a coupon in the ad to take in the tasty two dollar savings on a “Rancher’s Reserve Steak.”
The ad can be seen here:

(Courtesy the Chicago Tribune)
Michael Jordan, because he’s Michael Jordan, somehow found out about this and was infuriated enough to initiate a lawsuit against Dominick’s for $5 million. Luckily, thus far, the suit has just about been laughed out of federal court.
From the Chicago Tribune:
Jordan was allowed to avoid attention Wednesday by entering the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse through its underground parking garage and then taking a private elevator to U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur's 23rd-floor courtroom.
Shadur, who has ruled that Dominick's is liable for a 2009 magazine advertisement that used Jordan's name without permission, wanted the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats to appear in person to hear the judge's views on what reasonable damages would be, according to court transcripts. He rejected a demand from Jordan's attorney that the president of the grocery chain also appear.
"I think it would be a constructive use of time to see whether some element of sanity cannot be introduced into this matter," Shadur was quoted as saying in a transcript of a May 22 hearing.
"I thought the demand was greedy," Shadur said of Jordan, who is seeking $5 million in damages for a one-page ad that ran in a Sports Illustrated commemorative issue celebrating Jordan's induction into the Hall of Fame.
Jordan was able to sneak into the courtroom after a legal battle pitched by MJ’s representation, hoping to keep the most prominent member of this lawsuit away from the proceedings. Shadur, in court testimony from May 22, asked Jordan’s lawyer if he was “allergic to the notion that he somehow ought to participate in a lawsuit that he brought?"
Kind of liking this Judge Milton Shadur-guy, at this point.
The judge hasn’t completely ruled out handing damages to Jordan, as Dominick’s (which is not just a mom and pop store, but the most prominent grocery chain in the Chicagoland area) clearly did use MJ’s occasion to make a band pun on cuts of steak in order to sell their wares. Jordan’s famous Jumpman logo wasn’t involved in the ad, nor were logos from the NBA, Chicago Bulls, or Charlotte Bobcats, but the company was piggybacking off of the eyeballs sent Jordan’s way in order to sell a few steaks as summer wound down in 2009.
But for $5 million? Just because that’s MJ’s current going rate? This wasn’t exactly a shoe company ad, destined to be seen by millions.
Judge Shadur appears to agree with me. From the Tribune:
Shadur has said Dominick's is liable for an advertisement that was "ultimately stupid and really totally without common sense," but the judge also held that Jordan has tried to make a "legal mountain" from a "legal molehill," according to transcripts.
The case is ongoing. And pretty stupid, especially when you consider the fact that Michael Jordan was the guy that paid Ben Gordon $12.4 million to play basketball last year.

What a jerk

 

[iaremarius]

That's ridiculous.....I'm sure that's not the whole story but if it is the gist of it....MJ's lookin like a real d******d these days

 

[tkae225]

It's pretty well known that MJ is an a-hole....but back to these shoes though.....

 

[phillysuge2k13]

That's ridiculous.....I'm sure that's not the whole story but if it is the gist of it....MJ's lookin like a real d******d these days

so you are cool with anyone using your image and info without your permission?

plus they did not pay him

 

[160jordansdeep]

michael jordan is as cheap as they come

but this guy also thought he could get away with using is name was damn wrong

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[beelzebub45]

Let me get this straight, Michael Jordan is aware of a grocery store ad to sell steaks using his name, but knows nothing about (or can do nothing about) the illegal sale of unauthorized footware?

I apologize for even bringing the GM discussion into this thread, but after reading this I find it a bit odd that something so insignificant as steak at a grocery store goes to court (for 5 mil) and something as important and well known as these unauthorized shoes is ignored or condoned.

I've heard it said many times that nothing can be done about GM shoes because it's being done in countries where the laws are different. I find that hard to believe. I find it more believable that they know well about sale of these shoes and don't want to stop it for their own reason.... Jordan is a greedy man.

 

[swin429]

Haha look at the fake dunkman logo they used

 

[ill steelo]

The amount that he's suing for is a warning to anyone else trying to profit off of his name without permission.

If you want to use his name to make money, you have to pay him. Simple as that.

 

[sonoftony]

Isn't there another thread saying how MJ is such a dickhead?! I thought everyone knew this, yet we camp out for his sneakers

 

[SUSHI AND GRITS]

Makes sense to sue, but as stated... he's trying to make a mountain out of a mole hole.

 

[meek meals]

That's ridiculous.....I'm sure that's not the whole story but if it is the gist of it....MJ's lookin like a real d******d these days

so you are cool with anyone using your image and info without your permission?

plus they did not pay him

Son all they did was congratulate him, and to honor him, they're gonna give out coupons for two dollars off some steaks

He really thinks they made ANYWHERE close to 5 mill off steaks

Acting like they launched a whole apparel and shoe line

This was in Chicago no less smh

I guess legally he's right, but that's still a Richard move

 

[meek meals]

Makes sense to sue, but as stated... he's trying to make a mountain out of a mole hole.

Word he just needs to fade into bolivian.

 

[frank mucus]

Scumbag MJ at it again SMH

 

[xsourdieselx]

chamillionaire did say jordan is a jerk

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[Ox.]

Dude's a chump.

 

[bendover]

Thats super greedy. Seems like he's forgotten where he's came from

 

[phillysuge2k13]

Son all they did was congratulate him, and to honor him, they're gonna give out coupons for two dollars off some steaks

He really thinks they made ANYWHERE close to 5 mill off steaks

Acting like they launched a whole apparel and shoe line

This was in Chicago no less smh

I guess legally he's right, but that's still a Richard move

they could of tried the same thing with the NBA or nike

but they would be asking for more

 

[stillin729]

MJ secretly must hate his life

 

[meek meals]

Son all they did was congratulate him, and to honor him, they're gonna give out coupons for two dollars off some steaks

He really thinks they made ANYWHERE close to 5 mill off steaks

Acting like they launched a whole apparel and shoe line

This was in Chicago no less smh

I guess legally he's right, but that's still a Richard move

they could of tried the same thing with the NBA or nike

but they would be asking for more

not really a valid comparison

the fact that its chicago likely means that its a genuine congratulations

also after looking at the ad, they really didnt even use it to make money . . . it had a the congratulations picture and then under it were some steak coupons that would have likely been there whether or not mj was inducted into the HOF

Do you really think they needed that MJ co-sign to push steak coupons

 

[phillysuge2k13]

Do you really think they needed that MJ co-sign to push steak coupons

yes. nike needed mj to push shoes and paid him more

 

[dtb00201]

Not surprised

I don't support him or his brand anyway

 

[meek meals]

Do you really think they needed that MJ co-sign to push steak coupons

yes. nike needed mj to push shoes and paid him more

Steak . . . Shoes . . .

iight b

 

[illvine]

Just got some Bred 11's

 

[dankenstien88]

MJ secretly must hate his life

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[jordan23dotcom]

Rich people are greedy, that's why they're rich, duh