‘More Than An Athlete’ Slogan is Facing a Lawsuit
LeBron James and his media company Uninterrupted accused of copyright violation.
You know that bold slogan “More Than An Athlete,” popularized by LeBron James back in 2018? Where the athlete’s viral clapback targeted Fox News host, Laura Ingraham after telling James to “shut up and dribble” and stay out of political matters. Turns out it may be a copyright infringement.
Maryland youth organization, Game Plan Inc., has filed a $33 million lawsuit against the Lakers All-Star and his media company Uninterrupted for taking the slogan. Game Plan claims it has been using it since 2016 and received trademark rights in 2018. The non-profit stated that they first used it on T-shirts at a Washington Wizardsgame on Oct. 8, 2017, when they played James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. A group of them wearing that T-shirt were photographed with athlete John Wall before the game, according to the claims.
After the slogan went viral, James stamped it on Nike-produced clothing, an ESPN series he produces and a NBA 2K video game made by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. The suit was filed on Tuesday and also implicates ESPN, Nike and the maker of the NBA 2K video game for using the slogan in the material.
James’ media company has dismissed the allegations based on numerous factual inaccuracies. “Uninterrupted owns prior rights in and to the More Than An Athlete trademark,” they stated according to ESPN.