The second time, the 2x AL MVP goes against his former team – the Chicago White Sox. And it stems back to April 29, 2025. The allegations talk about the Illinois Right to Publicity Act.

The franchise GOAT, Frank Thomas, reportedly filed the lawsuit against the team’s “Born here, BRED here. Forever Chicago” launch of Nike’s City Connect 2.0 line. The complaint accused White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics of using Thomas’ name, image, and likeness on merchandise without his consent! That’s definitely gonna Hurt Big! The law offices of Corboy & Demetrio have named the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a ‘respondent in discovery’ for the lawsuit, along with several others.

The Chicago Bulls (the City Connect 2.0 uniform’s design was inspired by those of the Bulls, who, like the White Sox, are owned by Jerry Reinsdorf), and retailers, like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy, Kohl’s, Lids, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Academy, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Collegiate Licensing Company, Licensing Partners International, Fanatics Apparel, Fanatics Retail Group, Mitchell & Ness, MLB Shop Fan Services, New Era Cap, Pacsun, Rally House Stores, and so on.

Explaining the lawsuit, filed on March 19 through the Cook County (Ill.) circuit court, Thomas’ attorney, William T. Gibbs stated, “Companies may not profit from anyone’s identity without their permission. We believe our filing speaks for itself.”

Law.com laid out more details about the case: “The complaint, brought by Corboy & Demetrio, alleges the defendants have been selling ‘City Connect 2.0’ jerseys featuring Thomas’s name and jersey number since April 2025 without permission or compensation, violating the Illinois Right of Publicity Act. The case is 2026L003200, Thomas v. Chicago White Sox.”

The Illinois Right of Publicity Act protects entities from unauthorized “commercial” uses of their identity. It recognizes “the right to control and to choose whether and how to use an individual’s identity for commercial purposes.”

Alternately worn during the 2025 season by the active players, the City Connect 2.0 #35 jersey with Thomas’ name in the back must have enriched themselves through substantial commercial benefits. His jersey is listed for sale at $175 on the Nike website. But the alleged violation of consent means violating the “fundamental principles of justice, equity, good conscience, and fair play.”

Thomas has sought more than $50,000, along with legal fees and punitive damages.

Launched in 2025, the City Connect 2.0 jerseys are the second-generation collaboration between MLB and Nike. These jerseys were launched to revive the highly successful City Connect Series, designed to celebrate the city pride and the cultural heritage of each team. The Chicago White Sox and the NBA’s Bulls came together to create a blend between the two – the first-of-its-kind on-field uniform. But when it comes to Thomas’ lawsuit, it was not the first.

In 2014, he sued Reebok International in the Federal Court. At the time, Thomas had alleged that they re-released his signature “Big Hurt” shoes without seeking prior permission. It was a case of trademark infringement and violation of publicity rights, as Thomas had trademarked his “Big Hurt” identity.

Following the lawsuit, Reebok stopped selling those shoes. Hold! There’s more with his former franchise only!

The 5x All-Star first sued the White Sox doctors in 2006, alleging they misdiagnosed his left foot fracture in 2004 as a bruise. Following that, he had to play on a broken foot, leading to a second break. Right after Chicago’s 2005 World Series win, the legend was released. Even though he signed an incentive-laden contract worth up to $3.1 million with the Oakland Athletics, the departure hurt.

That lawsuit was settled only in 2011, but the bitterness hardly faded.

In 2006, the then-White Sox GM asked a “whining” Thomas to “better stay out of White Sox business” after the lawsuit. Even the 2015 World Series Championship reunion now seems like an Eephus pitch because he was absent from the 20th anniversary gathering in July.

Just in February, the ‘Black History Month,’ the White Sox posted their franchise history, including Al Smith being the first Black All-Star in the organization in 1960, or Dick Allen becoming the first Black player to win the AL MVP for the organization. And in the Allen feature, the post included just one statement about Frank Thomas joining that club in 1993-94. That lit fire.

“I guess the black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable. Don’t worry I’m taking Receipts,” responded Thomas on X.

That fire probably kept brewing until now. Playing 16 of his 19 MLB season, the Big Hurt is the Chicago White Sox’s all-time leader in home runs (448), RBI (1,465), doubles (447), runs (1,327), walks (1,466), and on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.568), extra base hits (906), and total bases (3,949).

There is only one player in MLB history to have batted .300 or above with over 20 home runs, 100 runs, 100 walks, and 100 RBIs in seven consecutive seasons with the Chicago White Sox. That’s Frank Thomas.

So, of course, it’s not just about the lawsuits!

Frank Thomas’ induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Frank Thomas, the face of the White Sox in the 1990s, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 8, 2014, the same year he sued Reebok. He was inducted as a Hall of Famer on his first ballot only.

478 out of 571 ballots were cast in favor of Thomas by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, earning him 83.7% of the total vote. His induction ceremony was held on July 27, 2014.

“Today, I would like to thank the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the baseball writers for selecting me as a first-ballot selection in this 2014 Hall of Fame class. I’m so humbled and honored to be a part of this historic class of first-ballot Hall of Famers. To share the stage in front of all of the legendary men who made the game better for us all, I’m speechless,” stated Thomas in his speech.

Thomas started his journey as an athlete, playing both baseball and football in high school. In 1986, when he first became eligible for the MLB draft, Thomas went undrafted. Following this, he enrolled in Auburn University, intending to become a football player.

In 1987 at Auburn University, Thomas also played baseball, batting at .359. He represented the United States team in the Pan-Am Games in the summer of 1987. That same year, after getting injured playing football, he turned his focus solely to baseball.

During his induction speech, Thomas thanked his university coaches, Pat Dye, Jay Jacobs, and Hal Baird, for their guidance. He also expressed his gratitude to them for letting him play both sports simultaneously.

“Under your guidance at Auburn University, I became a man. You guys pushed me to new heights and instilled toughness and a will to win that I really never knew existed. Coach Baird, thanks for treating me like a pro before my time. I thank you, my friend. I know you couldn’t make it here today, but I thank you. Coach Dye, at the same, I know you couldn’t make it either, but I really thank you for letting me play both sports. The decision changed my life. I thank you for letting me follow my dreams. Your passion for what is right led me to my career path in baseball. I thank you, Coach Dye, and War Damn Eagle,” he added.

The back-to-back MVP (1993, 1994) hit a career average of .301 with 521 homers, 1494 runs, 1704 RBI, and .974 OPS.

Even though Frank Thomas worked as a special consultant for the business operations of the White Sox, and the franchise retired his jersey 35 and dedicated a statue of him at the ballpark, the bad blood between the two seems to be turning into rotten blood! Ken Williams calling him “selfish” in 2006 may not go away with these moves. And the reason feels more emotional than anything else!

Big Hurt probably could never get over the fact that there was “not much love” left in his final years with the Sox.