Odell Beckham Jr. Files $20M Lawsuit Against Nike, Claims He Is Owed Millions
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As former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. continues to close in on making his 2022 NFL season debut, Beckham’s attorney Daniel Davillier has filed a $20 million lawsuit against Nike on behalf of his client. The 2021-22 Super Bowl Champion is claiming he lost out on millions due to the five-year extension he agreed to with Nike. The way that the deal was structured allegedly made earning valuable extensions impossible, Beckham says.
Beckham released a statement on his official Twitter account.
“Being a Nike Athlete and Brand Icon was a dream I’ve had since being a young boy. I wanted to be the next Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant in the Nike Family. When Nike exercised its right of first refusal to match the Adidas offer and not only kept me as a Nike Athlete, but also made me one of their Brand Icons—my dream had been fulfilled.”
“Unfortunately, Nike did not honor its commitments. Throughout our partnership, I have kept my promise and fulfilled my obligations to the brand. I am extremely disappointed that I’ve had to take these measures to ensure Nike fulfills their obligations and promises. Today, I’m taking a stand not just for me, but to set a precedent for all athletes who have dedicated their life to the sport they love-especially those who don’t have the means to stand up for themselves. We are held responsible for fulfilling our obligations under our contracts, but we also have to hold powerful companies like Nike accountable for honoring their commitments too. I look forward to resolving this issue and hope we can start a real conversation about protecting athletes and their rights. This happens too often in the sports industry and it’s time for change.”
The relationship between Nike and the Super Bowl Champion reportedly began in March 2022. Beckham accused Nike of withholding $2 million of the $2.6 million he was owed. The receiver claims that the reason Nike held out was due to Beckham allegedly altering his equipment towards the end of the 2021 season. Beckham says the reason for it was that he was forced to create custom cleats due to the company not providing cleats that matched the colors of his new team, the Los Angeles Rams.
Beckham was traded to the Rams midway through the season, following a fallout with the Cleveland Browns. Beckham became a key piece to the Rams’ offense after former Rams receiver Robert Woods tore his ACL during a Friday practice session. The 30-year-old tore his ACL during the Super Bowl against the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals. The receiver is now nearing a return, and reportedly will make a decision regarding which team he will sign up with at the end of November.
TMZ has more HERE.
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