Michael Jordan and Jewel-Osco settle lawsuit after $8.9 million decision against Safeway
Michael Jordan and Jewel-Osco settle lawsuit after $8.9 million decision against Safeway
Jewel-Osco and Michael Jordan have reached a settlement in a lawsuit over the unauthorized use of his name in an ad that appeared in a 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated. Earlier this year Safeway was ordered to pay $8.9 million to Jordan for the unapproved and unlicensed use of his name in a Dominick's ad that ran in the same issue. Jewel-Osco and Jordan were expected to meet in court this month.
Michael Jordan and Jewel-Osco reached a settlement over the unauthorized use of his name in this 2009 ad
"The terms of the agreement are confidential, but we are pleased to have reached a resolution of these matters," said Brian Dowling, vice president of public relations for Albertsons, which acquired Jewel-Osco in 2013.
Both ads were in a commemorative edition concerning Michael Jordan’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
After the Dominick's case concluded in August, Jordan said, "No one — whether or not they’re a public figure — should have to worry about their identity being used without their permission.” According to Jordan, the $8.9 million was to be given to charity.
Financial terms of the Jewel-Osco settlement have not been made public.
Today, Jewel-Osco operates 184 stores throughout the Chicagoland area, Indiana and Iowa.