Frank Thomas files suit against White Sox, Nike and Fanatics
Hall of Famer Frank Thomas has filed a civil lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox — the staff he performed with for 16 of his 19 MLB seasons — over what he alleges is unauthorized use of his likeness on uniforms.
The suit, which was filed in Cook County, Illinois, additionally names Nike and Fanatics as co-defendants, seeks fee in extra of $50,000 and calls for a jury trial. Thomas’ grievance stems from the staff’s sale of City Connect 2.0 jerseys “on or about April 28, 2025” with Thomas’ No. 35 on the entrance and Thomas’ identify and No. 35 on the again, alongside White Sox emblems, logos and staff and Nike branding.
“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act,” mentioned Thomas’ lawyer, William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, in an announcement to ESPN. “Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”
The Chicago White Sox mentioned they don’t touch upon energetic litigation. The MLBPA couldn’t be reached for remark, whereas Nike and Fanatics declined. A case administration listening to is at present scheduled for May 21 in a Circuit Court of Cook County courtroom.
It’s not the primary time Thomas has had friction together with his former staff. In 2002, when Thomas did not make the All-Star staff, completed top-10 in MVP voting or received a Silver Slugger, the White Sox and then-general supervisor Ken Williams invoked a “diminished skills” clause in Thomas’ contract which lower his base wage to $250,000 and deferred $10.125 million over 10 years with out curiosity.
In 2006, the five-time All-Star sued two White Sox docs, claiming their 2004 misdiagnosis of a damaged foot compounded the harm and led to his launch in 2005. The White Sox weren’t a celebration to the lawsuit, and Thomas and the docs settled in 2011.
And final month, the White Sox posted a timeline of “momentous firsts” for Black History Month on
Thomas, the American League MVP in 1993 and 1994, is the franchise’s all-time chief in offensive WAR, on-base proportion, slugging proportion, on-base plus slugging proportion, runs scored, doubles, dwelling runs, runs batted in and walks, amongst different classes.
