Despite $234,477,466 Earnings, “Humble” Giannis Antetokounmpo Set to Persuade Another 5-Figure Cheque After Suing Utah-Based Luxury Brand

The second most followed sport in the world, basketball, is undeniably a global sport. And the NBA, as its premier offering, has greatly leveraged the sport’s global appeal to its advantage. The 2023 NBA Playoffs averaged 5.47 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT, making it the most-watched playoffs in five years. Figures such as LeBron, Curry, and Giannis have transcended the game of basketball and have achieved universal fan followings.

This has led to stars of the league signing multi-million dollar NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals with multiple brands. Recently, Giannis found himself in a legal battle with a Utah-based luxury brand for falsely using his NIL.

Giannis Sues Maree for Unauthorized NIL Use

The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo, also popularly known as the “Greek Freak”, in the 2013 NBA Draft. He came into the league as a lanky 20-year-old boy but quickly developed into one of the most feared players in the league. He took the Bucks from the midst of mediocrity to the ‘promised land’ of the NBA title. In the process earning 2x NBA MVPs, 1x DPOY and several All-Star and All-NBA nods. But he has found himself embroiled in a legal battle with Utah-based luxury bedmaker, Maree.

As first reported by Sportico’s Michael McCann, the Greek Freak took Maree to court because they failed to deliver four beds to Athens, Greece, according to the “quality and specifications’ in the contract. Giannis has also accused Maree of falsely using his likeness to promote their brand. Despite earning approximately $234 million dollars throughout his NBA career. Giannis seeks a full refund from Maree for a (relatively) measly $95,391.65 dollars for the beds.

Other Finer Details

Maree has positioned itself as a luxury brand in the mattress industry. They call themselves the “Rolls Royce of Beds”. Celebrities such as LeBron James, Venus Williams, and Serena Williams are among Maree’s clientele. In an interview with Designers Today, Maree CEO Erica Gleaton described her products as “Bespoke beds offer state-of-the-art support and premium comfort with a mattress that adjusts to the body’s natural curvature. By providing innovative pressure point relief and spinal alignment, Maree beds are built to accommodate the measurements of any individual”.

Read More: After Publicly Pushing the Bucks to Sign Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Still Reject $177,500,000 Extension Offer for a Different Reason

Giannis has filed a federal lawsuit in Wisconsin, through attorney Eleni Melekou. He also wants Maree to stop using his name, image, and likeness to promote their products, as it may hurt his brand. The lawsuit includes seven claims: breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, invasion of privacy, false endorsement, and breach of implied warranty. The lawsuit has caused many individuals to question the authenticity of Giannis’ “humble” demeanor. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

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