Thomas sues White Sox for using name on jersey (1:11)
Thomas sues White Sox for using name on jersey (1:11)
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Dan HajduckyMar 24, 2026, 04:38 PM ET
- Dan Hajducky is a workers writer for ESPN. He has an MFA in ingenious writing from Fairfield University and played on the males’s soccer groups at Fordham and Southern Connecticut Suppose universities.
Hall of Famer Frank Thomas has filed a lawsuit against the
The suit, which was as soon as filed in Cook dinner County, Illinois, also names Nike and Followers as co-defendants, seeks fee in far extra than $50,000 and demands a jury trial. Thomas’ criticism stems from the crew’s sale of Metropolis Join 2.0 jerseys “on or about April 28, 2025” with Thomas’ No. 35 on the entrance and Thomas’ name and No. 35 on the benefit, alongside White Sox trademarks, emblems and crew and Nike branding.
“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act,” acknowledged Thomas’ licensed first rate, William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, in a commentary to ESPN. “Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”
The White Sox acknowledged they cease no longer commentary on energetic litigation. The Main League Baseball Avid gamers Association couldn’t be reached for commentary, and Nike and Followers declined. A case administration hearing is currently scheduled for Would perhaps well merely 21 in a Circuit Court docket of Cook dinner County court docket.
It be no longer the key time Thomas has had friction alongside with his mature crew. In 2002, when Thomas did now not make the All-Important individual crew, form in the tip 10 in MVP voting or get a Silver Slugger, the White Sox after which-long-established manager Ken Williams invoked a “diminished skills” clause in Thomas’ contract that decrease his scandalous wage to $250,000 and deferred $10.125 million over 10 years with out pastime.
In 2006, the five-time All-Important individual sued two White Sox doctors, claiming their 2004 misdiagnosis of a damaged foot compounded the injury and resulted in his unlock in 2005. The White Sox had been no longer a event to the lawsuit, and Thomas and the doctors settled in 2011.
And final month, the White Sox posted a timeline of “momentous firsts” for Sunless History Month on X. Thomas, who regarded as soon as in the graphics, completely in name, answered: “I Guess the black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable! Don’t worry I’m taking Receipts!”
Thomas, the American League MVP in 1993 and 1994, is the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive WAR, on-scandalous percentage, slugging percentage, on-scandalous plus slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, dwelling runs, runs batted in and walks, among other categories.
