by Properly, Abdur-Rahman
July 7, 2025
Woodard believes the workforce profited off her title, picture, and likeness with out her approved use.
The primary girl to play for the Harlem Globetrotters feels she acquired performed, and by no means paid, by the workforce after her title was used for merchandising.
Lynette Woodard made historical past in 1985 by changing into the primary girl to hitch the exhibition basketball squad. She toured with the workforce for 2 years. Nonetheless, her relationship with the Globetrotters soured after she made no cash from their attire collaboration that featured her. Woodard just lately sued the workforce, claiming an unauthorized use of her title, picture, and likeness (NIL).
Based on the New York Publishthe Globetrotters used the Olympian’s NIL with out her permission for hoodies and sweats manufactured by an organization known as Undrcrwn from 2021 to 2024. The lawsuit claims the Globetrotters didn’t attain out to Woodard for consent. She argues it’s as a result of “they knew (she) wouldn’t give it free of charge.”
The streetwear model collaborated with the Globetrotters to launch a clothes line that celebrated their historical past. It closely included the time Woodard participated. Attire not solely featured Woodard but in addition highlighted her significance within the workforce’s legacy. Moreover, Woodard claims the gadgets are nonetheless obtainable on the secondary market.
Woodard shouldn’t be solely a well-known Globetrotter but in addition a family title in skilled and collegiate basketball. The 65-year-old is a four-time All-American who performed at Kansas. On a world degree, she led the 1984 U.S. Olympic Ladies’s Basketball workforce to gold. Additionally a 2004 inductee into the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame, the 6-foot-6 guard has been inducted into a number of Halls of Fame for her contributions to the game.
Woodard’s lawsuit claims that her contracts with the Globetrotters included a California selection of legislation provision. Based on Sportythis dictates that the state’s legislation relating to NIL is legitimate. As a member of the United Basketball Gamers Affiliation, Woodard claimed {that a} Collective Bargaining Settlement ratified by each the gamers’ union and the Globetrotters granted her royalties on merchandise gross sales.
Her case additionally provides a brand new element to the rising case for NIL, increasing the conversations that sometimes revolved round collegiate athletes. Woodard seeks damages in addition to earnings from the clothes gross sales. She additionally desires an injunction to halt additional unauthorized use of her picture.
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