Jury awards Michael Jordan $8.9 million for store’s brand infringement

Speaking to the media outside the federal courthouse in Chicago, Jordan thanked the jury and his legal team and said the litigation had been necessary to protect “to the fullest” his name.

“This case was not about money, as I plan to donate the proceeds to charity”, Jordan said in the statement. Michael Jordan’s name, jersey number and silhouette were used by the store in a 2009 ad for Rancher’s Reserve steaks.

Dominick’s reportedly claimed Jordan should only receive $126,900 for the unauthorized use of his name; however, Jordan’s estimate – $10 million – was much closer to the jury’s decision.

Jurors were instructed to focus on the market value of the basketball legend’s name in reaching their verdict, which was $8.9 million.

“Once again, this was never about the money”, Jordan said Friday. The ad also featured a $2 coupon for a steak.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the case, and a lesson that could extend to still-active prominent athletes and entertainers, is that Jordan pursued this case on his own, rather than let his sponsors fight it out, the Chicago Tribune pointed out. Jurors deliberated for six hours before returning with the $8.9 million figure, at one point sending a note to the judge that said, “We need a calculator”. “He gave us six championships”, Sperling remarked.

A lawyer for Dominick’s declined to comment, the Sun-Times reports. She was shocked when she flipped past the ad in Sports Illustrated, which read, “Michael Jordan…You are a cut above”.

The trial also revealed MJ’s income through endorsements including $480 million that was paid to him by Nike from 2000 to 2012. You see rare photos of Michael and his father James, and hear the story about how Jordan used to ride to spring training, look over to the empty passenger seat and have daily “talks” with James.