Harlem Basketball Star Sues Nike And Footlocker Over T-Shirt

2010_1_joehammond.jpg

Street basketball legend Joe "The Destroyer" Hammond has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Nike and Footlocker for putting his name on t-shirt without asking his permission. Hammond — who never played pro-ball but earned his reputation at Rucker Park on 155th Street in the 1970s — claims the sneaker maker "put a shirt of mine in Foot Locker with no contract." Adding insult to injury, they didn't even spell his name right.

According to the Post, the suit is over a t-shirt printed with a picture a "dilapidated basketball hoop" and the words: "Joe The Destroyer Hammon." Hammond has gone down in basketball lore for on-court performances that wowed NBA stars like Julius Erving and Wilt Chamberlain, as well as reports that he once turned down a contract to play for the Los Angeles Lakers because he was making more money selling drugs. His basketball career came to an end when he served a 12-year prison sentence on drug charges.

Email This Entry


Comments (2) [rss]

Awesome 80's era Ahhhnold teeeeshiirrt.

"for putting his name on t-shirt without asking his permission."

EDIT YOUR SHIT!

Post a comment (Comment Policy)

Tips

The day's most popular stories from Gothamist every evening in your inbox from our newsletter.
sign up for GothamList, our m-F events newsletter here!

About Gothamist

Gothamist is a website about New York. More

Editor: Jen Chung
Publisher: Jake Dobkin

Newsmap

newsmap.jpg

Contribute

Latest Tip:

How come we aren't seeing 10 stories a day on the upcoming "Giuliani's 9/11" show on the National Ge
[more]

Latest Photo:

Subscribe

Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Gothamist.

All Our RSS

Follow us