According to sources, Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard alleges Nike is preventing him from using the “Klaw” logo, an emblem he reportedly designed on his own. The suit claims that Jordan Brand only “refined” the logo between December 2011 and January 2012, and that he eventually allowed Nike to use it only for certain products.
Furthermore, he claims that Nike had actually filed a copyright application for the emblem without his knowledge or consent and that he was told to stop using the logo for any type of material.
The “Klaw” badge has appeared on many of Leonard’s Jordan footwear models, including his Air Jordan 1 Retro High the Air Jordan 6 “Ring Ceremony” PE. Leonard left the Jordan Brand in November 2018, and announced a new partnership with New Balance.
Nike on Kawhi Leonard suing them alleging the company trademarked the logo he created as their own when he was with the brand: “We do not comment on pending litigation.” Logo has not been on his New Balance product. pic.twitter.com/CJtugyQ7wY
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 4, 2019