Frank Thomas Files Civil Suit Against White Sox Over City Connect 2.0 Likeness

Hall of Famer Frank Thomas has initiated a civil suit against the White Sox regarding the unauthorized use of his name on City Connect 2.0 jerseys.

Hall of Famer Frank Thomas filed a civil lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox in the Circuit Court of Cook County, alleging the Major League Baseball franchise utilized his name and likeness on a specific 2024 apparel line without authorization. The legal complaint centers on the current season, during which the organization marketed and sold merchandise featuring the retired first baseman’s identity as part of their secondary uniform launch. This litigation seeks damages exceeding the jurisdictional minimum, targeting the commercial exploitation of the five-time All-Star’s brand during the most recent professional baseball calendar.

According to the filed documents, the White Sox integrated the name of the two-time American League MVP into the design of the latest kit series that debuted to replace previous South Side iterations. The plaintiff asserts that no formal agreement or licensing contract was established to permit the use of his persona for this particular merchandise line. Legal representatives for the 1997 batting champion argue that the team’s actions constitute a direct violation of the Right of Publicity Act, as the branding appeared on retail items and promotional materials throughout the summer months.

These uniforms served as a primary alternative for the club during weekend home games at Guaranteed Rate Field, creating a high-visibility platform for the disputed branding. Thomas, who spent 16 seasons with the organization and hit 448 home runs in a Chicago jersey, claims the team leveraged his historical significance to drive sales for the modern aesthetic. The suit highlights that while the player maintains a legacy relationship with the franchise, that connection does not grant the front office perpetual or unrestricted rights to his intellectual property for new product cycles.

Financial records and sales data from the 2024 fiscal year will likely become central evidence as the court examines the revenue generated from these specific garment sales. The Hall of Famer’s legal team emphasizes that the unauthorized branding occurred during a period of significant marketing push for the updated team wardrobe. By naming the White Sox as the sole defendant, the civil action focuses on the internal decision-making process that led to the inclusion of the "Big Hurt" moniker on the newest jersey version without a signed consent form or royalty structure.

This dispute marks a rare legal confrontation between a retired jersey-number honoree and the organization that took his number 35 out of circulation in 2010. The complaint specifies that the harm stems from the loss of control over his commercial image and the potential dilution of his personal brand value. As the litigation progresses through the Illinois court system, the focus remains on the specific timeline of the rebranding rollout and the exact quantity of units produced featuring the Thomas nameplate. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how MLB franchises manage the likeness rights of legendary alumni during modern retail efforts.