Former NBA star World B. Free is suing Nike for marketing a commemorative basketball shoe in his name without his permission.
The former Philadelphia 76ers point guard alleges Nike’s planned June 12 rollout appears timed to take attention away the May launch of a World B. Free-authorized line of shoes and clothing made by a small German company called K1X.
Free filed suit on April 27 in New Jersey, seeking damages and injunctive relief for alleged violations of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act. In addition to Nike, Free has named as defendants are Sole Collector, a sneaker magazine that promoted the Nike shoe, and Nick DePaula, one of the magazine’s owners.
Free played in the NBA from 1975 to 1988. He now works in community relations for the 76ers.
