Kawhi sues Nike over ‘Klaw’ logo

Raptors star Kawhi Leonard has filed a federal lawsuit against Nike, alleging the company filed a copyright application for his “Klaw” logo without his consent. The suit was filed in a U.S. District Court in Southern California on Monday.

According to the suit, Nike’s copyright on the logo was registered under “false representation” that “Nike authored the logo.”

The suit, which aims to give control of the logo back to Leonard, detailed the logo was an extension of drawings Leonard started making while in college.

“Leonard traced his notably large hand, and, inside the hand, drew stylized versions of his initials “KL” and the number that he had worn for much of his career, ‘2,’ ” the suit reads. “Unbeknownst to Leonard and without his consent, Nike filed an application for copyright registration of his logo.”

“Leonard intends to use the logo on clothing lines, footwear and on other products and, among other things, in connection with sports camps and charity functions, but Nike explicitly has objected to such uses,” the lawsuit reads.

Leonard initially gave Nike permission to use the logo with restrictions when he had an endorsement deal with the company’s subsidiary, Jordan Brand. His deal with the brand ended Sept. 30, 2018 and he signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with New Balance in November.

Leonard was traded from the Spurs to the Raptors in July 2018 amid reports he was unhappy in San Antonio. He has helped lead Toronto to its first NBA Finals, but could leave the team during the free agency period.

The New York Times’ Marc Stein reported in May the Clippers had attempted to buy the portion of the rights to the “Klaw” logo Nike still owned, with plans to give them back to Leonard, as part of their potential free agency pitch.