Jurors decided that one-time use of Michael Jordan‘s name is worth $8.9 million and that’s what a supermarket chain will have to pay him after including his name in a steak ad without his permission.
Dominick’s Finer Foods, which was owned by Safeway before it folded, Yahoo.com reports, placed the unauthorized ad in a 2009 Sports Illustrated. It congratulated Jordan on his Hall of Fame induction, including the words “Michael Jordan…A Cut Above” and a $2-off coupon above a photo of a steak.
Though Jordan didn’t get the $10M he asked for, he was pleased with the verdict.
“I’m so used to playing on a different court,” Jordan told reporters outside the courthouse. “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.”
Some, jurors were star-struck by Chicago’s favorite son, asking him for photographs after the trial was over and he happily obliged.
Jordan, who brought the city six NBA championships, said it was “never about the money” and that he will donate the entire amount to charities throughout the city.
About Post Author
