Soccer legend Pele sues Samsung over image in newspaper ad
Brazilian soccer legend Pele has sued Samsung Electronics Co for at least $30 million, alleging the Korean company improperly used a look-alike in an advertisement that ran in the New York Times without permission.
According to the complaint filed this month in federal court in Chicago, Samsung placed the October ad for ultra high-definition televisions after breaking off negotiations in 2013 to use Pele’s identity to promote its products.
Pele, 75, whose given name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is widely regarded as the greatest soccer player ever and among the world’s most famous athletes.
Although the ad does not mention Pele, it includes a portrait-sized image of a man who “very closely resembles” him, and a small photo of a soccer player making a “modified bicycle or scissors-kick, perfected and famously used by Pele,” the complaint said.
Paul withdraws from Olympic consideration
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul is withdrawing his name from consideration for the 2016 USA Olympics squad, Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday.
Paul, who played in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, cited the physical demands of playing in the Olympics between two NBA seasons.
“I feel my body telling me that I could use the time,” Paul told SI.
Paul, 30, also cited spending more time with his son as a factor.
Point guard is a deep position for Team USA so Paul’s withdrawal won’t cause a hardship. Among the point guards in the mix for a roster spot are Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Washington’s John Wall and Memphis’ Mike Conley.
Rockets’ Harrell draws five-game suspension in D-League
Houston Rockets rookie forward Montrezl Harrell was suspended for five games without pay by the NBA Development League after shoving a referee to the floor at the end of a game on Saturday.
The incident occurred after the final horn sounded in Rio Grande Valley’s D-League game against Sacramento.
Bakersfield forward Derek Cooke Jr. also was suspended for one game without pay for pushing Harrell. After game official Jason Goldenberg stepped in to help stop the altercation, Harrell pushed him to the ground.
Players and security quickly stepped in to prevent more mayhem.
Harrell will be unable to return to play for the Rockets until he sits out the five games in the D-League. With three games remaining in the regular season for Rio Grande Valley, the suspension will extend into the playoffs.
“Harrell committed a deliberate assault and battery against Referee Goldenberg,” the National Basketball Referees Association said Monday in a statement. “Anything less than a multiple game suspension would constitute a green light for violence against officials.”
VCU awards Wade with deal through 2024
Virginia Commonwealth coach Will Wade received a new deal from the school that runs through the 2024 season, the school announced Tuesday.
Wade originally signed a contract through 2020 worth $1 million annually when he replaced Shaka Smart after last season. The new contract also calls for unspecified program upgrades.
Wade went 25-11 in his first season as coach. The Rams lost to Final Four-bound Oklahoma in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Coach Wade did an excellent job with our program this year, and we are excited about our program’s future,” athletic director Ed McLaughlin said in a statement. “He and I agreed completely on all of the enhancements that our program needed to continue our elite level of success.”
Wade was targeted by Vanderbilt for its current job opening but Tuesday’s development should end that flirtation.
Rangers sign ex-Notre Dame star Fogarty
New York on Tuesday agreed to terms with forward Steven Fogarty on an entry-level contract.
Fogarty, 22, skated in 37 games with the University of Notre Dame this past season, registering 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points, along with a plus-seven rating and 26 penalty minutes.
Fogarty was a two-time captain for the Fighting Irish.
He was selected by the Rangers in the third round of the 2011 draft.