Michael Jordan Sues Grocery Stores for $10 million

Dec. 25 -- NBA legend and former Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan is claiming that two Chicago area grocery stores - Jewel Food Stores and Dominick's FIner Foods - used his identity without permission when they promoted a commemorative Sports Illustrated issue, "Jordan: A Hall of Fame Career."

The $10 million suit, filed in a Chicago Court, cites claims of false endorsement, consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices and unfair competition. The suit says the ads features MJ's name with the phrase "You are a cut above" and a photo of a steak. Below the congratulations is an ad for $2 off a Rancher's Reserve steak, a trademark of Dominick's parent Safeway.

In the Jewel ad, a pair of Jordan's Air Jordan basketball shoes with number 23 on the tongues sit below a message of support that ends with Jewel's friendly "just around the corner" slogan. The suit says the picture is an "inaccurate and misleading copy" of the Nikes he used to wear.

Michael Jordan-Bulls DVDs carries Jordan complete game DVDs, such as his 69-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, his 55-point "double-nickel" game vs. the Knicks in Madison Square Garden, and his 59-point masterpiece against the Pistons, among many others.