Michael Jordan donates 'multimillion-dollar' settlement in advertising case to Chicago charities
Michael Jordan. landmarkmedia / Shutterstock.com
After winning a $8.9 million jury verdict earlier this year in a federal lawsuit over unauthorized supermarket advertising, basketball legend Michael Jordan has reached a settlement and donated the proceeds to charity.
He settled last month for an undisclosed sum both the suit against Dominick’s and related litigation against Jewel-Osco, which also is owned by Cerberus Capital, reports the Chicago Tribune (reg. req.). It is a “multimillion-dollar settlement,” the newspaper says.
Twenty-three charities benefited from the Tuesday payouts, including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Tutoring Chicago.
Both supermarkets used Jordan’s name without permission in a 2009 ad in Sports Illustrated, the Tribune reports. It commemorated the elevation of the retired Chicago Bulls player to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I care deeply about the city of Chicago and have such incredible memories from my years there,” said Jordan in a news release. “The 23 charities I’ve chosen to make donations to all support the health, education and well-being of the kids of Chicago. Chicago has given me so much and I want to give back to its kids—the city’s future.”
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Michael Jordan is smiling after winning $8.9M in ad case, but says suit ‘was never about the money’”
