NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has settled a lawsuit that he filed against a company that he alleged sold items with his nickname on them.
In August, Antetokounmpo, who was voted as the NBA MVP this past season, sued Viral Style for $2 million under the accusation of trademark infringement. This was after he discovered the company designed, sold and distributed T-shirts, hoodies as well as other items that had his moniker “Greek Freak.”
The name comes from the 24-year-old being born and raised in Athens, Greece, after his parents, who are from Nigeria, moved there.
Antetokounmpo’s legal team issued Viral Style a cease and desist letter at one point, but the company “failed to respond or cooperate to provide a truthful record of his profits.”
“There is no question that the products sold by defendant under the Greek Freak and Greek FR34K marks were sold by defendant with the purpose of confusing and misleading consumers into believing that they are purchasing products associated with or endorsed by Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the most successful and popular NBA players,” read a document secured by The Blast.
“Defendant therefore traded off the goodwill and reputation of Antetokounmpo by engaging in the unauthorized use of Antetokounmpo’s trademark and publicity rights,” it continued.
The NBA star dismissed the suit “voluntarily,” and there’s no word on what the settlement entailed.
The Milwaukee Bucks player also settled a separate $2 million lawsuit in August that he filed against a Pennsylvania based-artist named Jinder Bhogal.
Antetokounmpo accused that person of selling Greek Freak merchandise on his website, and this was after a cease-and-desist letter was sent.
“The parties have agreed to a settlement in principle and are currently negotiating the terms of a settlement agreement and dismissal,” documents for that case read. “An extension of time will thus aid in resolving this dispute without further litigation. Plaintiff has consented to this extension.”
