Michael Jordan's Name Sometimes Used For Free
(CBS) – Bulls legend Michael Jordan doesn't charge everybody money to use his name.
That was among the latest developments Thursday as the retired athlete's legal battle continued against the now-defunct Dominick's supermarket chain.
There are some who pay nothing, CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports.
Dominick's used Jordan's name and Bulls jersey number in a 2009 ad without his permission or payment. The trial unfolding at Chicago's federal courthouse is to determine how much the defendants should pay for the illegal use.
But jurors are learning how much others have paid for permission -- some as much as $480 million, others nothing.
For example, game shows like "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" or even iPhone apps, where MJ is often the answer to sports questions, get to use his image for free.
A Japanese station wanted to use game video in a documentary. Jordan's marketing manager testified she would have given the station permission to use the highlights for free but the station offered $100,000, and she accepted the money on Jordan's behalf.
For charities like Make-A-Wish or Special Olympics, Jordan will make appearances for free.
Jurors also learned Dominick's is on a long list of those who use the icon's image without his permission. Most are small-time vendors who sell homemade Jordan T-shirts on the Internet. They get letters telling them to stop or pay anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000.
Jordan's managers stressed his image is worth 10 times that.
The marketing director testified Jordan gets a least $10 million when companies have permission to use his name. Under cross examination, she acknowledged an email where she asked a radio station for only $1 million.
Attorneys for Jordan say the superstar will testify Monday.