NBA and Bucks star, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been reported to have filed a lawsuit against a Sports company, Sportz Cases, LLC for using his nickname Greek Freak without his knowledge.
He is said to be demanding $2million in damages for the unauthorized use and infringement on his copyright for the name “Greek Freak,” The Blast reports.
According to the report, the federal lawsuit accuses Sportz Cases of trademark infringement, counterfeiting of his trademark, trademark dilution, deceptive acts and practices and multiple other claims.
The NBA star explains “Greek Freak” is his widely known nickname, which he obtained various trademarks to be able to sell merchandise. He says he has spent a substantial amount of time, money and resources to develop, promote and advertise his Greek Freak-branded products.
He says despite having the trademarks for the name, Sportz Cases has been designing, selling and distributing phone cases under with the “Greek Freak” name. Antetokounmpo says he never authorized the company to use his nickname or was paid a dime from them, the report added.
Also, the Blast reported that Greek Freak immediately took action against the company and fired off a cease and desist. The NBA star demanded they hand over accounting for all the illegal merchandise sold. Antetokounmpo says the company failed to provide a “truthful record of his profits from the sale” of Greek Freak products.
He says the company instead changed the name of the product from “The Greek Freak” to “The Baller” and continues to sell the phone cases. He takes issue with the product being a lesser quality than the merchandise he produces. He accuses the company of ruining his years of hard work to build the brand.
The NBA star is demanding $2 million in damages per counterfeit mark per type of goods sold, which could calculate to tens of millions.
He is seeking an injunction against the company which will prohibit them from selling the items and for them to turn over all profits they made ripping off his name.