Odell Beckham Jr. and Nike’s long-running $20milion [£15.4m] lawsuit is over.
In 2022, the Miami Dolphins wide receiver sued Nike, alleging the Oregon-based footwear and apparel company withheld millions of dollars in royalties owed to him under terms of a sponsorship deal.
The three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion claimed Nike intentionally suppressed shoe sales to avoid extending his contract.
According to the Portland Business Journal, Nike countersued OBJ, claiming customisations he made to their branded gloves were outside the terms of his contract.
The outlet reported the superstar wideout was seeking $862,000 [£667k] in damages – the total amount in royalties withheld – while Nike had asked for damages of between $7m [£5.4m] and $15m [£11.6m].
Earlier this week, Beckham provided fans with an update on the case while tagging Nike.
The 31-year-old posted a photo on his Instagram with his legal team with the caption: “JUST DO……RIGHT @nike.
“I wanna take this moment to thank God first and foremost thank you Heavenly Father. I wanna thank my team for every hour they have spent preparing on this case.
“I wanna thank the jury for simply doing what’s right in a world full of wrong… my message to whoever needs this is, STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN! JUSTICE WAS SERVED!!!”
He later posted to X: “Gods child. Its never in question.”
However, the triumphant nature of OBJ’s post was somewhat misleading.
According to the PBJ, a Multnomah County Circuit Court jury awarded no damages to either Beckham Jr. or Nike in the breach of contract case.
The jury reportedly reached the decision that Nike never breached its contract by withholding royalties from Beckham.
“It also ruled that Beckham’s glove customizations did not breach his contract, that Nike waived its right to enforce the contract for certain glove designs, and that Beckham did not violate his contract by disclosing terms of the deal,” the publication added.
Furthermore, a Nike spokesperson told Complex that Beckham Jr. received no monetary award in the case he filed.
A Nike rep told the outlet: “With this verdict, all of Mr. Beckham’s claims have been decided against him without any monetary award.
“The decision confirmed that Nike complied with its commitments. Nike is grateful to the jury and the Court for their careful attention to this case.”
Beckham Jr. is one of the most famous and recognisable wide receivers in the NFL – helped by his insane one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 – one of the greatest catches in league history.
He was drafted by the New York Giants in 2014, and two years later became the fastest player in NFL history to reach both 200 career receptions and 4,000 career receiving yards.
He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019 where he spent two largely unsuccessful seasons.
Beckham Jr. joined the Rams in 2021 and was a key piece of their Super Bowl LVI victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The two-time Second-team All-Pro selectee joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 before landing with the Dolphins earlier this year.
News Summary:
- Odell Beckham Jr. tags Nike as he reacts to verdict of lengthy $20million lawsuit against footwear and clothing giant
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.