Boras whines about Baby Stuff
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High-powered agent Scott Boras recently acted on behalf of one of his most well-known clients, New York Yankees CF Johnny Damon, to attempt to force a fan to remove offending merchandise from being listed on eBay.
Red Sox fan Ann Sylvia offered baby bibs with the slogan "Damon Sucks" on the front. eBay pulled the bibs from their listings after Scott Boras complained, claiming they infringed on his client's "right of celebrity", which legally allows celebrities to control the products they endorse. After Sylvia rightfully pointed out that JD wasn't the only person - or even the only ballplayer - in the entire world named Damon, a settlement was agreed to whereby as long as Sylvia didn't refer to the Yankees, Red Sox, or "Johnny" in the listing, she was allowed to re-list the bibs. Asked about the dispute at Yankee Stadium, Damon responded that he was unaware of the issue and referred questions to his agent.
"Sports figures like Johnny Damon are important people in our society, and the First Amendment protects the right of the public to freely comment on them," said attorney Greg Beck, who works for the Public Citizen Litigation Group, and who helped Sylvia on the case. "Johnny Damon doesn't get to control what people say about him."
If you'd like to get your very own Damon Sucks bib, the listing is available below.
Source
Date
Fri 07/21/06, 4:39 am EST
