Lynette Woodard sues Harlem Globetrotters over unauthorized NBA merchandise use
Basketball legend Lynette Woodard, the first woman to play for a men's professional team, has filed a lawsuit against the Harlem Globetrotters and others. She alleges unauthorized use of her name, image, and likeness (NIL) in an NBA-themed clothing line.
Woodard, a Basketball Hall of Famer, joined the Globetrotters in the mid-1980s. She signed contracts with the team, including one from 1986 that mentioned NIL rights. She was also part of the United Basketball Players Association, which negotiated a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Globetrotters. The CBA included royalty provisions for merchandise sales to NBA players.
Woodard's lawsuit, comprising 14 claims, includes misappropriation of her NIL, false endorsement, and violation of her right of publicity under California law. She argues that an 'Lynette' fleece sweatsuit in an NBA clothing line launched by the Globetrotters and streetwear brand UNDRCRWN uses her NIL without authorization or compensation. She seeks profits from the apparel line's sales, damages, attorney's fees, and an injunction to halt further infringement.
The defendants will have the opportunity to respond to Woodard's claims and potentially challenge her interpretation of the contracts and CBA.
Woodard's lawsuit highlights the complexities of NIL rights in professional sports, particularly in the NBA. The case will determine if the clothing line's use of her name and likeness violates her contractual and legal rights. The outcome may set a precedent for future NIL disputes in the NBA.
