Michael Jordan Awarded $8.9m In Damages Over Use Of His Name Without Permission

                              

He’s the greatest basketball player of all times and one of the best athletes the planet has ever seen, but Jordan does not only enjoy victories earned on the court- those from the courtroom would also do just fine.

Jurors in a civil suit he filed against a grocery store chain for using his name without his permission awarded Jordan $8.9m in damages for the breach of his naming rights.

A judge ruled before trial that the now-defunct Dominick's Finer Foods, which was owned by Safeway, was liable after it used an unauthorized ad in a 2009 Sports Illustrated.
It congratulated Jordan on his Hall of Fame induction and included a $2-off coupon above a photo of a sizzling steak.

                                

His lawyers argued a use of his image was worth $10m, whilst lawyers for Safeway claimed he shouldn’t be entitled to more than $126,900.
The jury awarded Jordan $8.9m in damages. Jordan claimed the case was not necessarily about the money, but about the principle.

“This shows I will protect my name to the fullest. … It’s my name and I worked hard for it … and I’m not just going to let someone take it.”

Jordan added that the case 'was never about money' and that he'll give the damages award to charities in Chicago.
Stepping back into the courthouse, two jurors asked him for a photograph and he obliged by throwing his arms around them and smiling for a cellphone camera.