MLB Players Association Sues Pirates, Sheetz

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) is suing the Pittsburgh Pirates and Sheetz for allegedly using the likenesses of multiple players in a marketing campaign without a proper licensing agreement. This lawsuit is centered around a sponsorship deal that resulted in Sheetz patches being displayed on Pirates' uniforms, which began on June 21, 2023. The MLBPA claims that the Pirates violated rules that prohibit the use of three or more players' images in promotions without consent from the union. The association is demanding that the Pirates cease the use of the Sheetz patch and pay monetary damages to the affected players. Both the Pirates and Sheetz have been approached for comments but have not yet responded regarding the litigation. This case highlights the ongoing complexities of player rights and commercial partnerships in Major League Baseball.