Frank Thomas Sues White Sox Over Likeness on Jerseys | ESPN

Hall of Fame baseball player Frank Thomas has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics, alleging unauthorized use of his likeness on team jerseys. The suit, filed in Cook County, Illinois, seeks damages exceeding $50,000 and a jury trial, according to statements released by Thomas’s legal counsel.

The dispute centers on the White Sox’s sale of City Connect 2.0 jerseys, beginning around April 28, 2025, featuring Thomas’s number 35 and name alongside White Sox branding and Nike logos. Thomas contends that his image was used without his permission, violating his right of publicity.

“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act,” said William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, representing Thomas, in a statement to ESPN. “Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”

The White Sox have declined to comment on the pending litigation. Representatives for Nike and Fanatics also did not respond to requests for comment. The Major League Baseball Players Association has not yet issued a statement. A case management hearing is scheduled for May 21 in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

This is not the first legal challenge Thomas has brought against the White Sox. In 2002, the team invoked a “diminished skills” clause in his contract, significantly reducing his salary and deferring a portion of his earnings. Thomas later sued two White Sox doctors in 2006, alleging a misdiagnosis of a broken foot in 2004 exacerbated his injury and contributed to his release from the team in 2005. That lawsuit was settled in 2011.

More recently, Thomas publicly criticized the White Sox for their recognition of Black History Month. Responding to a team post on X (formerly Twitter), Thomas expressed frustration that he was only mentioned by name and felt overlooked despite his significant contributions to the franchise. He wrote, “I Guess the black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable! Don’t worry I’m taking Receipts!”

Thomas enjoyed a distinguished 19-year MLB career, with 16 seasons spent with the White Sox. He was named American League MVP in both 1993 and 1994 and remains the White Sox’s all-time leader in numerous offensive categories, including offensive WAR, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, home runs, and walks.