Jury Finds Avenatti Guilty of Fraud and Extortion

On February 14, 2020, a federal jury found celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti guilty of fraud and extortion over a scheme where he attempted to force Nike to pay him $25 million to conduct an internal probe in exchange for not publicly reporting Nike’s alleged scheme to make illicit payments to the families of high school athletes.

As we have continued to cover, on March 25, 2019, Avenatti was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, bank fraud, and wire fraud. According to the …

April 16, 2019 Celebrities / Fraud / Litigation

Mike v. Nike: Avenatti Strikes Again

Michael Avenatti, celebrity lawyer and notably outspoken President Trump critic, again struck back at Nike in a series of tweets alleging foul play. On April 6, 2019, Avenatti stated that he had turned over documents and other evidence to law enforcement, which shows Nike was involved in an illicit bribing scandal involving high school players and their family members.

At 9:01 am on April 6, 2019, Avenatti tweeted, “1/2 – Here is a link to only SOME of the evidence showing Nike bribed players …

March 28, 2019 Celebrities / Fraud

Avenatti Strikes Back at Nike

Just one day after being arrested and charged with numerous crimes, including conspiracy to commit extortion, bank fraud, and wire fraud, celebrity lawyer and outspoken President Trump critic, Michael Avenatti, proclaimed his innocence and struck back at Nike in a CBS interview and a string of tweets.

As we just recently reported, on March 25, 2019, Avenatti was charged and taken into custody after federal prosecutors were tipped off about Avenatti’s attempt to extort up to $26.5 million from Nike. However, over the last twenty-four …

March 28, 2019 Basketball / Celebrities / General / NCAA

Michael Avenatti Arrested for an Attempt to Extort up to $26.5 Million From Nike

On March 25, 2019, celebrity lawyer and outspoken President Trump critic, Michael Avenatti, was arrested and taken into custody after federal prosecutors charged him with numerous crimes, including conspiracy to commit extortion, bank fraud, and wire fraud. According to a federal criminal complaint, on March 19, 2019, Avenatti met with Nike representatives claiming to represent a youth basketball coach who had information that Nike employees made illicit payments to the families of high school athletes.

Avenatti and his alleged co-conspirator Mark Geragos, a high-profile criminal …

July 17, 2018 Advertising / Basketball / Copyright / Intellectual Property / Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / Litigation / NBA / Sponsorships / Trademark

Nike ‘Jumps’ Over Photographer Who Sued Over Iconic ‘Jumpman’ Logo

Nike’s namesake comes from the Greek Goddess of Victory and the sportswear giant once again lived up to their legendary name by scoring a second victory in the Ninth Circuit. The Sports Law Insider has previously reported on the three-year suit between photographer Jacobus Rentmeester and Nike over the iconic Jumpman Jordan logo.

The action started back in January 2014 when Rentmeester filed suit against Nike for copyright infringement. The iconic logo shows Michael Jordan in a common ballet pose known as the grand …

June 13, 2018 Litigation

“Bizarre Dispute” Between Soccer Gear Company and Nike Ends at the Ninth Circuit

On June 7, 2018, Johnnie B. Rawlinson, a Ninth Circuit judge, denied Havensight Capital LLC’s appeal. In September 2014, Havensight Capital LLC, a soccer gear company and competitor of Nike, Inc., filed a lawsuit against Nike, claiming intentional interference with prospective economic relations; unfair competition and trade practices; commercial misappropriation; intentional interference with contractual relations; negligence; and invasion of privacy. According to Judge Rawlinson, the “appeal is the latest in an ongoing and bizarre dispute” where Havensight has portrayed its lawsuit as a battle between …

March 14, 2018 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Nike OK’d to Continue Using “Jumpman” Logo

On February 27, 2018 the Ninth Circuit ruled that Nike’s use of its iconic “Jumpman” logo did not infringe on copyrights to a 1984 image of Michael Jordan, as captured by photographer Jacobus Rentmeester. Following more than three years of litigation — and though the decision was split — Nike may continue to use the image without legal repercussions.

Rentmeester originally shot and used the image of Jordan in a mid-air, “grand jeté-inspired pose,” which was featured in a 1984 issue of Life…

Gronk Spike Silhouette Ricocheted with Opposition from Nike

In April 2016, Rob Gronkowski’s new clothing and exercise equipment company, Gronk Nation, LLC, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark a silhouette of Gronkowski’s legendary Gronk spike for use on their products. Nike has filed a formal opposition, saying Gronk Nation’s logo could be confused with its “Jumpman” logo that the company has used since November 1987. Nike has trademark rights to use its logo in connection with clothing, footwear, sporting goods, hosting sporting events, and related products and services. Gronk …

June 30, 2016 Litigation / Olympics

Nike Throws in the Towel in Lawsuit Against Rival New Balance over Sponsorship of Expectant Olympian

In a surprise move Nike decided to drop its lawsuit attempting to prevent American 800 meter World Champion runner Boris Berian from wearing rival shoe company New Balance. On June 23, 2016, Nike voluntarily dismissed its sponsorship dispute in an Oregon federal court where they recently sought to expedite the process in order to determine Berian’s sponsorship for the upcoming U.S. Olympic track and field trials on July 1, 2016.

Berian is a fascinating story in the world of track and field having worked as …

June 13, 2016 Litigation / Olympics / Sponsorships

Nike Successfully, but Temporarily, Prevents Rising Track Star From Running in Rival’s Gear

On June 7, 2016 an Oregon federal court granted Nike’s request for a temporary restraining order which would prevent track star Boris Berian from wearing or endorsing any of Nike’s competitors for a short period of time. The order handed down on Tuesday will keep Berian out of New Balance products until at least June 21, when a more permanent solution to the contract dispute is handed down.

Berian is the 800-meter world indoor champion and has become one of the faces of middle distance …