Thomas filed his lawsuit on March 19 in the Cook County Circuit Court, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
His lawsuit alleges that companies including Nike, Fanatics, and his old team—the White Sox—have been selling ‘City Connect 2.0″ jerseys that feature his name and his player number without his consent. The jerseys have been on sale since April 2025, and he claims he was never compensated for the sales.
He further argues that he has no contract with the companies using his name and number.
“The complaint we filed alleges violations of the Illinois Right to Publicity Act. Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself,” attorney William Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio said in the lawsuit.
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Frank Thomas is suing the White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics for selling a jersey using his name and number without his consent or compensation (Getty Images)
The lawsuit claims that the use of his name and number violates the “fundamental principles of justice, equity, good conscience, and fair play.”
Thomas is seeking damages, which include profits from merchandise sold with his name and number, as well as other financial losses. He has also asked for a jury trial.
The White Sox said the organization does “not comment on on-going litigation.”
The Independent has requested comment from Nike and Fanatics.
The City Connect jersey at the center of the lawsuit is still available on both Nike and Fanatics’ websites.
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Thomas spent most of his career playing with the White Sox, where he hit 448 of his 521 home runs while playing in Chicago, according to The Athletic.
Thomas with fans during a game against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium in California in August 1994 (Getty Images)
White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf makes a presentation to Thomas on his retirement in August 2010, when his number 35 shirt was retired as a tribute to his achievements (Getty Images)
He retired officially in 2010, after which the White Sox retired his number—35—and he was later inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2014. After he retired, Thomas went on to work as a business operations consultant for the team in 2016.
Thomas at a Houston Astros game in Texas in 2005 (Getty Images)
Despite his long history with the team, he’s also been critical of the organization. Thomas responded to a White Sox Black History Month post that celebrated other noted Black players but made no mention of him, despite the fact that he’s the team’s home-run leader.
“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,” he wrote in response to the post.
He also fought with the team’s general manager, Ken Williams, near the end of his time with the organization. His biggest complaint was focused on a “diminished skills” clause put into Thomas’ contract in 2002 that allowed the team to reduce his pay.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has taken a backseat in favor of Austin Reaves being the team’s second option. It has worked out well for the Lakers, as he’s thrived in his role as the third go-to guy. On Tuesday’s episode of his show with former NBA star Steve Nash, “Mind the Game,” James recalled what it was like seeing Reaves play for the first time.
Reaves signed with the Lakers ahead of the 2021-22 season after going undrafted. According to James, he watched some of the basketball highlights from when the NBA star was in college. The four-time champion said that the former Wichita State guard moved differently.
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“After we signed him, I went back and watched a lot of his Wichita State highlights and games and then a lot of his Oklahoma highlights and games as well,” James said.
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“The first thing I noticed, it’s kind of funny. We always talk about this. He didn’t play like a white boy. It was very different. His wiggle was very different.”
While James was just sharing his thoughts about his teammate at that time, fans had a wild reaction to it. Here are some of what the fans said about what the Lakers star said.
“Lebron being racist again. Jokic plays like a ‘White boy’ and he’s been kicking your ass for damn near a decade now,” a fan said.
@NBA__Courtside Lebron being racist again. Jokic plays like a “White boy” and he’s been kicking your ass for damn near a decade now.
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“Jeez. Just imagine this was reversed and it was a white dude being interviewed. ‘He didn’t play like a black dude’, annnnnd cancelled. Great job on the racism,” another fan commented.
“LeBron James is a racist and hates white people….” one fan said.
Other fans came to defend James, however.
“This kinda talk is acceptable in sports but not music, just interesting seeing the difference lol,” someone commented.
@NBA__Courtside This kinda talk is acceptable in sports but not music, just interesting seeing the difference lol
“I swear! I said this off jump street on Austin reaves! That boy was nice! I was glad he fell to us out of the draft,” one fan commented.
LeBron James Could Return to the Lakers in One Condition
After the 2025-26 season, LeBron James will be a free agent. He has the freedom to join any team and play his 24th NBA season. However, his age is a significant factor in determining the type of deal he will receive over the summer. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said that there’s a chance for the Lakers to re-sign him if he takes a pay cut.
Shelburne said that it also applies to other teams that are interested in signing him.
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“The sense I have is that this idea of playing for $50M anywhere is probably gone, but if (LeBron) is willing to play for less, and if that fits with what (the Lakers) are trying to do, I think that door is open,” Shelburne said on ESPN’s “NBA Today.”
LeBron James’ injuries this season could have played a part. Additionally, he’ll turn 42 next season, and no one knows how long he’ll continue to play well.
Promising filly Ohope Wins echoes the prowess of her sire Ocean Park, living up to the adage about the apple staying close to the tree.
The New Zealand Oaks champion gears up for her first Australian race in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill this Saturday, representing her seventh appearance in a preparation launched in November.
James McDonald, her jockey, revealed initial apprehension regarding the long campaign when Ohope Wins entered Chris Waller’s Sydney stable, though the three-year-old swiftly erased those concerns.
“That was probably one question mark I had on her,” McDonald said.
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“But she’s got such a brilliant attitude. Her father was Ocean Park, and he was as tough as they come, and this filly feels exactly the same.
“She’s got a great appetite for work and just loves it.
“Her program would be just eat, sleep and work. She is very rigid like that and very measured in how she does everything. She is just a beautiful filly.”
With three triumphs from six outings, Ohope Wins remains in her maiden preparation, rested after her February 21 victory in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie.
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McDonald was impressed by her finishing efforts in a recent trial, seeing similarities with Orchestral, the 2024 Vinery Stud Stakes winner who preceded it with success in that year’s New Zealand Derby (2400m).
“She was a good filly, Orchestral, and this one feels just as good,” McDonald said.
“It will take a good filly to beat her.”
Nine runners are entered for the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins securing the outermost barrier.
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The race acts as a key precursor to the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 11, with Ohope Wins emerging as the decisive early frontrunner.
Discover attractive racing betting markets ahead of Ohope Wins’s tilt at the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor gestures on the field following a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, in East Rutherford. Nailor reacts after the contest, showing energy as Minnesota wraps up a late-season road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Jalen Nailor signed with the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago, but he expects big things from J.J. McCarthy, his former teammate, in the future.
Nailor’s praise for McCarthy adds context to Minnesota’s growing receiver question.
Nailor built instant rapport with McCarthy in 2025, and one could argue that he was McCarthy’s favorite target — even more so than Justin Jefferson, who is usually every Vikings quarterback’s favorite asset.
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Nailor’s Exit Leaves McCarthy without a Familiar Target
Nailor bids farewell.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) goes through pregame practice routines, moving with focus as he prepares for kickoff at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. McCarthy worked through drills and timing throws as Minnesota readied for a road matchup late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.
Nailor on McCarthy
NFL show host Kay Adams spoke with Nailor last week, and she wasn’t afraid to pick his brain about McCarthy’s development.
Nailor said about McCarthy, “He can be the guy for sure. I just feel like it’s a matter of him just still getting those reps in games and building on what he did this past year. Just try to have a clean, healthy season. If he has a clean, healthy season, I think he’ll be fine. He has all the things.”
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Nailor also said about a possible quarterback battle between newcomer Kyler Murray and McCarthy, “It’s going to be a battle. I can tell you that. It’s going to be a great QB battle. I don’t know who’s going to come out on top. I’m probably rocking with my guy J.J., but you never know.”
“It’s going to bring the best out of both of them. Just to have that chip on their shoulder, to go out there and perform like their lives depend on it.”
And a final note about his love for the Vikings: “It’s all love from me to the Vikings. I wish I could still be in the purple and gold, but at the end of the day, it’s business, and you’ve got to do what’s best for myself and the situation that plays its hand. So, it’s all love. I’m a Viking for life, for sure. Maybe I could come back one day.”
The Battle to Come?
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As of now, McCarthy is considered the Vikings’ QB2 because — how can a team not start Kyler Murray, the man who averages about 4,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and 30 touchdowns every 17 starts?
But Nailor seems to think McCarthy will have a puncher’s chance at winning the training camp competition, which the Vikings will probably insist is a thing by the time July rolls around. Murray was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft; he has the tools to dethrone McCarthy in a battle. He’s not a failure or long shot whose career needs a total facelift. Murray just needs to stay healthy, distribute the ball, and enjoy the fruit of the Vikings’ second-ranked defense since Brian Flores rolled into town three years ago.
Nailor + McCarthy’s Chemistry
In his first 10 career starts, McCarthy heavily favored Nailor, their strong on-field connection a testament to this reliance. McCarthy’s most accurate passes often targeted Nailor, showcasing their well-developed timing.
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This established trust is invaluable for a young quarterback transitioning to the league. With Nailor’s departure, the offense will need to adapt, and McCarthy will need to cultivate a similar rapport with another receiver.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) warms up on the field, running routes and preparing for game action ahead of kickoff at Lambeau Field, Sep 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. Nailor took part in pregame drills as Minnesota prepared to face the Packers in a key NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
The Vikings must promote Tai Felton, a rookie from last year who barely played on offense, sign a free agent like DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel, or Tyreek Hill, or spend another early draft pick on a wide receiver.
It’s the only way to fill the WR3 void.
New Pals in Las Vegas
The Raiders’ wide receiver corps is a significant weakness, arguably the worst in the league. With Nailor currently the projected top receiver, there’s little to suggest this group can be consistently productive. This lack of proven talent puts considerable pressure on a unit still defining its identity.
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The current roster includes:
Jalen Nailor
Tre Tucker
Jack Bech
Dont’e Thornton
Shedrick Jackson
Justin Shorter
Brenden Rice
Phillips Dorsett II
This situation is further complicated by the potential selection of quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana with the No. 1 pick. A rookie quarterback would desperately need reliable playmakers in such a challenging environment.
While Brock Bowers will be beneficial in the middle of the field, the Raiders’ most pressing need is a significant upgrade at wide receiver. It’s unclear if they’ll find that in the draft.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back in the pocket, scanning coverage and setting his feet as protection forms during first-half action at U.S. Bank Stadium, Dec 7, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. McCarthy worked through progressions early in the game while directing Minnesota’s offense against Washington. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
So, all signs point to Nailor perhaps feasting in Sin City while his buddy either embarks on a quarterback battle or serves as the QB2 behind Murray.
Nailor averages 266 receiving yards per season, meaning the Raiders are betting on a tremendous breakout, as the speed demon has never tabulated over 450 yards in a single campaign. Maybe he’ll be Mendoza’s go-to pass-catcher like the McCarthy setup.
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool can deliver Mohammed Salah a “perfect send off” and a Champions League winners’ medal but worries that English football may struggle to replace his star quality.
News of Salah’s exit at the end of the season broke out of the blue on Tuesday evening, signalling the end of an illustrious nine-year partnership between the Egyptian and the Anfield club.
With 255 goals in 435 appearances, the 33-year-old will depart as the club’s third highest goalscorer behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.
Former Reds stalwart Carragher ranks him among the very best to have worn the shirt and tipped the possibility of a fairytale final chapter on the European stage.
“The timing of Tuesday’s announcement strikes me as both perfect and clever. Confirming his intentions now guarantees the kind of emotional, grand farewell that a player of his standing deserves,” Carragher wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
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“While I will celebrate his career, I have no wish to be part of a grand Anfield farewell after the club’s final Premier League fixture in May. Every Liverpool fan has something far better and more dramatic in mind.
“Knowing Salah’s mindset and competitive spirit, he will be setting his sights on the greatest of all possible goodbyes a week later: inspiring his team to victory in the Champions League final in Budapest. Do not bet against the perfect send off.”
The former England defender also feels that Salah will leave a huge void well beyond Merseyside.
“Liverpool’s loss is English football’s loss. It means the Premier League will soon be deprived of another world-class, generational talent.
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“Following Kevin De Bruyne’s exit from Manchester City just last season, Salah’s Anfield farewell brings down the curtain on another career in this country which has illuminated our stadiums. Until others step up to fill the huge void, we may risk suffering a ‘superstar famine’.”
Salah’s team-mate Andy Robertson, who signed for the club in the same transfer window in 2017, led the dressing room tributes.
Posting on Instagram, the Scotland international wrote: “Mohamed, thank you.
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“Nine of the best years of our lives with amazing memories on and off the pitch. Watching you become the best at what you do and become one of the best to ever have worn the Liverpool shirt has been a joy to watch and be part of.
“Your mentality is second to none and a lot of people could take note. You have pushed yourself every single day and always demanded more from yourself and others. A pleasure sharing the pitch with you for so long but even more so being able to call you a friend.
“You deserve a send-off that reflects your status at LFC – the greatest. Second to none.”
The exact circumstances behind the decision have yet to be revealed, with the role of manager Arne Slot unclear, but former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock has suggested the Dutchman could find himself following Salah out of the club if results go badly in the coming weeks.
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“Do they have a replacement now in the squad? No they don’t, absolutely not,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.
“Whether it’s Arne Slot or a new manager (who has to find one), we’ll have to wait and see. That’s another thing that’s up for debate.
“If Liverpool crash out of the Champions League to Paris St Germain in the next few weeks and they don’t win against Manchester City in the FA Cup, suddenly things look a lot bleaker.
“It won’t just be Mohamed Salah they’re looking for a replacement for, it will be the manager.”
Mar 23, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs are building momentum as the season winds down, a push that is putting pressure on Western Conference leader Oklahoma City.
San Antonio defeated the Miami Heat 136-111 on Monday for its sixth consecutive victory and 10th in 11 games. The Spurs (54-18) might be able to sneak a step closer to the Thunder on Wednesday as they visit the slumping, injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies (24-47) while Oklahoma City (57-15) travels to face Boston.
The Spurs are an NBA-best 22-2 since Feb. 1 and clinched their first playoff berth since 2019 last Thursday. They are in second place in the Western Conference and just three games back of the defending champion Thunder, who have maintained a grip on first place behind a 12-game win streak.
The combination of the Spurs’ victory over Miami and Houston’s 132-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday allowed San Antonio to clinch the Southwest Division title.
For the Spurs, 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama has re-established the franchise and lifted it back into title contention. Wembanyama had 26 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in 26 minutes at Miami for his fourth 26-15-5 game of the season. Only one other player — injured Memphis big man Zach Edey — has posted a 26-15-5 game this season. That came in November before ankle issues sidelined him for the year.
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Wembanyama, 22, has had 11 games this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. The third-year pro averages 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds and a league-best 3.0 blocks per game.
“He is something that we haven’t seen,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “He affects as much of the game, in every single way, on the court on both ends with or without the ball and what the other team tries to do on both sides, in my very ignorant opinion, as much as any player I’ve ever seen. He is someone who touches every bit of our program.”
Memphis dropped a 146-107 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday for its third straight loss and 11th in 12 games.
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Without rotation players Cam Spencer (low back soreness), Javon Small (low back soreness) and rookie Cedric Coward (personal reasons), the Grizzlies were not competitive in the loss. They trailed by 10 at the end of the first quarter and 71-46 at halftime. The Hawks scored 45 points in the third and built a 116-75 advantage entering the final quarter.
Memphis got 26 points from GG Jackson along with 20 points and eight rebounds from Tyler Burton off the bench. Burton was signed to a second 10-day contract earlier this week, as was DeJon Jarreau, to assist the Grizzlies in piecing together a roster to close out their injury-plagued season.
But with star guard Ja Morant likely out the rest of the season with an elbow injury he sustained in late January — he has appeared in only 20 games this season — and with surgeries ending the seasons for Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger), the Grizzlies’ final 11 games will be challenging.
Monday night might have been a blueprint. The undersized Grizzlies were outrebounded 44-34 by the Hawks and committed 21 turnovers, 10 more than Atlanta. The Hawks made 25 of 54 3-point attempts.
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“We had too many turnovers and we couldn’t rebound against them,” Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “And on top of that, they capitalized in transition and shot the ball very well.”
Many in the sport believe Shakur Stevenson could retire undefeated, following in the footsteps of his friend Terence Crawford. Stevenson himself is certainly convinced that will be the case.
He now holds the WBO belt at 140lbs, and has options there, up and down. Though stripped of the WBC belt at lightweight, Stevenson has not ruled out a drop back down. There are intriguing defences or unifications for him to make where he is, and it’s likely he will ultimately move up to welterweight, though he has pumped the brakes on talk of doing that too soon.
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With names like Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia all in the mix, the debate now centres on not who can beat Stevenson, but who can even test him.
In his mind, nobody can – and he told Cigar Talk recently that his toughest fight has already happened.
“It ain’t going to happen [somebody having a close fight against me]. The most y’all ever going to get is Zepeda – that was y’all’s best hope and chance at getting resistance.
“His style, styles make fights. The style that would give me the most resistance would be the guy who throws a million punches a round, and doesn’t stop punching.”
Despite being caught on the ropes on a couple of occasions, Stevenson still came away winning clearly on all three judges’ scorecards and, in his mind, bulletproof from any future challenge.
Auburn Tigers guard Kevin Overton (1) takes a jump shot as Auburn Tigers take on Seattle Redhawks during the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Auburn Tigers lead Seattle Redhawks 42-31 at halftime.
Auburn is the last power-conference program standing in the NIT as it prepares to host Nevada in a quarterfinal game Wednesday night.
The No. 1 seed Tigers (19-16) fought off a hard charge by Seattle University Sunday night in a 91-85 victory.
The win kept coach Steven Pearl’s squad home for one final game, which will help set the semifinals on April 2 on Butler’s campus.
Kevin Overton scored 23 points, 16 in the second half, after Auburn led the visitors 42-31 at halftime.
Seattle held a 54-49 scoring edge in the second half, but the Tigers outrebounded the Redhawks 41-23 overall and made 24 free throws compared to the West Coast Conference squad’s seven.
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Afterward, Pearl talked about his defense’s shortcomings but credited his group for putting up 91 against Seattle’s 29th-ranked scoring defense.
“Obviously, we aren’t a good defensive team,” Pearl said. “That’s something that we’ve got to improve in the offseason. We’ve just got to find ways of trying to limit teams from scoring more points. They made 16 3s. The problem is that their best shooter is the one that hit seven of them.
“Our recognition of personnel wasn’t great.”
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Overton has averaged 22 points in the two NIT wins by sinking 11 of 22 3-point shots.
Keyshawn Hall (15 ppg), Elyjah Freeman (11.5) and Tahaad Pettiford (10) also have averaged double figures.
With the triumph, the Tigers extended the nation’s longest nonconference home winning streak to 66 games — a stretch that began Nov. 11, 2016.
Second-seeded Nevada (24-12), a 73-63 winner over Liberty in its second-round home finale, got a triple-double from Corey Camper Jr. (10 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) as the Wolf Pack finished 17-2 at home.
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Coach Steve Alford was pleased with the output of 6-foot-10 center Joel Armotrading, who missed 16 games in the middle of the season with a chest injury.
“I thought Joel was as good as he’s been,” Alford said after the senior produced 10 points (6-for-6 at the line), five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes. “We’re starting to see what it would’ve looked like if we’d have had Joel the whole year being healthy.”
Nevada features four scorers in double figures for the year: Camper (16.8 ppg), Elijah Price (12.6), Tayshawn Comer (11.3) and Vaughn Weems (10).
Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf didn’t yield the team results he’d hoped for.
The 50-year-old looked healthy in his return to play, but the Los Angeles Golf Club beat Woods’ Jupiter Links GC 9-2 to complete a two-game sweep of the TGL Finals on Tuesday.
Woods missed a long putt on his first shot on the first hole before he just missed the green 279 yards away with a 3-wood off the deck on the par-5 second hole, leading to the opening point of the match for Jupiter.
“Welcome back, young man,” teammate Max Homa said to Woods as he exchanged fist pumps and hand claps with Homa and fellow teammate Tom Kim.
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Woods also impressed on the par-4 sixth with a 279-yard drive down the centre of the fairway. But the 15-time major champion did look rusty at times, missing a three-and-a-half foot putt that put LAGC up 3-2.
Woods, who hasn’t played on the PGA Tour since The Open Championship in July 2024 but did play TGL in its inaugural season, was competing for the first time since he had a back surgery in October 2025.
It is unclear when or if the 15-time major winner will return to the PGA Tour. The Masters start April 9.
Bompastor was visibly upset on the touchline as she approached the fourth official to question the decision.
Chelsea’s players looked bemused and their frustrations grew, including Bompastor kicking a bottle, when Kadeisha Buchanan’s late effort was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Anneke Borbe, although replays showed that was the correct decision.
Asked what feedback she received from the officials on their decisions, Bompastor said: “Nothing. It’s always the same. You go to them and ask them to check they made the right decision, they always say ‘yeah, we are checking.’
“But they made the wrong decision. Nothing changes. When a human makes a mistake, you can understand a little more but when there is the VAR, it’s really difficult.
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“I don’t think it’s been the first time for us this season in the Champions League. When we played Barcelona, Catarina Macario’s goal was not offside. That changes a lot. I just think they need to be better.”
Bompastor insisted she believes VAR is good for the women’s game but that the officials using it must be the “right people to check the situations”.
Asked how the women’s game could be respected more, Bompastor said the solution would be to bring the “best” referees to the biggest games.
“If that has to be coming from the men’s game, then maybe,” she said. “If it is coming from the women’s game, then [use] the best ones,” she added.
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“We need to make those decisions. It’s really frustrating. We need to bring competence which is the most important thing.”
Pesu, 36, has officiated throughout this year’s Women’s Champions League and oversaw two games at last summer’s European Championship, including the opening match between hosts Switzerland and Norway.
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