Michael Jordan Scores $8.9M Settlement – ‘Jumpman’ Logo’s Worth Proven in Court

Despite the recent failure in China, Michael Jordan scored a sweet victory over a grocery store chain that used his logo to sell their merchandise without seeking his consent. The jurors awarded Jordan $8.9 million for invoking his name without his permission.


The jury appointed to delegate if Michael Jordan’s intellectual property was used without his approval proved just how much the “Jumpman” logo is currently worth. The awarded settlement is quite close to the $10 million Jordan’s attorneys had pegged the logo’s usage to be worth. An elated Jordan hugged his lawyers after the decision was read, but categorically mentioned it was never about the money.


“It was all just about protecting my name and my likeness. I’m so used to playing on a different court. This shows I will protect my name to the fullest…. It’s my name and I’ve worked hard for it for 30-something years and I’m not just going to let someone take it. It’s not the type of court I like to win at. But unfortunately we ended up in this court, and I’m very happy with the result.”


At the heart of the case was an advertisement for steaks that ran back in 2009. The ad not only used Michael Jordan’s iconic basketball jersey number, but it also featured a logo that looked strikingly similar to Jordan’s trademark “Jumpman” logo. The ad had appeared in an issue of Sports Illustrated along with a $2.00 off coupon, reported The Inquisitr.


Jordan mentioned in his testimony that he sticks to long-term deals that are expected to be worth $10 million or more and would “never” have agreed to have his insignia used in an ad which lowered him to the equivalent of a piece of meat and had the added derogation of a two dollar coupon.