White Sox legend sues team over alleged unauthorized use of likeness on new jerseys

Despite spending 16 of his 19-year Hall of Fame vocation with the Chicago White Sox, 1 of the organization's top players ever is not connected bully presumption with them.

Frank Thomas, who won 2 MVP Awards with the North Siders, is suing the organization, alleging unauthorized usage of his likeness connected uniforms.

Thomas said the squad profited from selling items utilizing his individuality without his permission, notably the merchantability of City Connect 2.0 jerseys that carnivore his sanction without his consent. The jerseys paid homage to the Chicago Bulls, with a reddish superior top, achromatic pinstripes and achromatic numbers.

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Former Chicago White Sox subordinate Frank Thomas during the nationalist anthem earlier the team’s crippled against the New York Mets. He was determination to propulsion retired a ceremonial archetypal transportation astatine Guaranteed Rate Field. (Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports)

Thomas claims helium has received nary compensation oregon different information from Nike, Fanatics and the White Sox for the usage of his sanction and likeness.

"The ailment we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act," wrote William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, the instrumentality steadfast representing Thomas, successful a statement. "Companies whitethorn not nett from anyone’s individuality without their permission. We judge our filing speaks for itself."

The suit was filed March 19 successful Cook County, Illinois, and besides named Nike and Fanatics arsenic defendants. Thomas seeks outgo successful excess of $50,000 and demands a assemblage trial.

The beef betwixt Thomas and the enactment has brewed for astatine slightest a small while. Last month, the erstwhile slugger criticized the squad for leaving him retired of a Black History Month graphic.

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Frank Thomas #35 of the Chicago White Sox signs autographs for fans anterior to the commencement of a Major League Baseball outpouring grooming crippled successful 1996 successful Tucson, Arizona. (Focus connected Sport/Getty Images)

Thomas played 16 years for the White Sox from 1990 to 2005 and finished his vocation archetypal successful respective cardinal stat categories, including location runs (448), RBI (1,465), doubles (447), on-base percent (.427), slugging percent (.568), OPS (.995) and walks (1,466).

"I conjecture the Black subordinate who made you affluent implicit determination and holds each your records is forgettable! Don’t interest I’m taking Receipts!" helium wrote connected X.

The graphic successful question pointed retired immoderate of the cardinal moments successful the White Sox’s enactment and Black players. Minne Miñoso broke the franchise’s colour barrier, Al Smith was the archetypal Black All-Star successful the team’s past successful 1960, Danny Goodwin was the archetypal African American subordinate selected with the apical prime of the draught by the White Sox successful 1971, and Kenny Williams became the archetypal African American wide manager successful Chicago Sports past – to sanction a few.

Chicago White Sox archetypal baseman Frank Thomas hitting astatine Comiskey Park. (Imagn)

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The Toronto Blue Jays, whom Thomas played 171 games for aft his tenure successful Chicago, included Thomas successful their Black History Month solemnisation post.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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