Frank Thomas files suit against White Sox, Nike and Fanatics

Hall of Famer Frank Thomas has filed a lawsuit against chicago white sox – the team with which he played 16 of his 19 MLB seasons – alleges unauthorized use of his likeness on uniforms.

The lawsuit, filed in Cook County, Illinois, also names Nike and Fanatics as co-defendants, demands a payout of more than $50,000 and demands a jury trial. Thomas’ complaint stems from the sale “on or about April 28, 2025” of the team’s City Connect 2.0 jersey, which features Thomas’ number 35 on the front and Thomas’ name and number 35 on the back, as well as White Sox trademarks, logos, and team and Nike branding.

“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Publicity Rights Act,” Thomas’ attorney, William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetriou, said in a statement to ESPN. “Companies cannot profit from someone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”

The White Sox said they do not comment on active litigation. The Major League Baseball Players Association could not be reached for comment, and Nike and Fanatics declined. A management hearing in the case is currently scheduled for May 21 in Circuit Court in the Cook County Courtroom.

This is not the first time Thomas has had a falling out with his former team. In 2002, when Thomas did not make the All-Star team, finish in the top 10 in MVP voting or win the Silver Slugger, the White Sox and then-general manager Ken Williams invoked a “skill less” clause in Thomas’s contract, which reduced his base salary to $250,000 and deferred $10.125 million over 10 years without interest.

In 2006, the five-time All-Star sued two White Sox doctors, claiming that misdiagnosis of a broken leg in 2004 aggravated the injury and led to his release in 2005. The White Sox were not a party to the lawsuit, and Thomas and the doctors settled in 2011.

And last month, the White Sox posted a timeline of “significant firsts” for Black History Month on X. Thomas, who appeared in the graphics once in name only, responded: “I think that black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable! Don’t worry I’m taking receipts!”

Thomas, the American League MVP in 1993 and 1994, is the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive WAR, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, home runs, runs batted in and walks, among other categories.