Chris Bosh Sues Baby Mama Over Her Involvement On "Basketball Wives"

Back in March I reported that Miami Heat Forward Chris "Super Soft" Bosh had stopped his baby mama from joining Basketball Wives. Well it seems that was only temporarily as now Chris is suing his baby mama Allison Mathis, who is set to star in Season 3 of Basketball Wives and  the producers of the show Shed Media for infringing his trademark and publicity rights.

The lawsuit filed yesterday in California District Court states that the show doesn't actually show wives of basketball players, but rather women who are dating, or have dated, or have been married to NBA players. Bosh is claiming that co-defendants Allison Mathis and producer Shed Media are commercially exploiting his likeness and trademark, and the complaint offers an amusing rationale on why Mathis' appearance doesn't constitute protected First Amendment expression against Bosh's purported intellectual property rights:

"The use of Plaintiff's name by Defendants is primarily commercial and not communicative," says the lawsuit. "Further, the show, 'Basketball Wives,'  is not transformative, but rather the use, depiction, or imitation of celebrity NBA basketball players, including Plaintiff, is the very sum and substance of the show."

Bosh claims his consent was required for use of his mark -- his name -- and that the reality show is likely to confuse the public into thinking he authorized or sponsored Basketball Wives. Bosh also claims that the show has wrongfully converted his "life rights" and divulged facts about him that have been harmful and "destroyed" the commercial value of his "life rights." He's also suing the defendants for intruding upon his private home life.

Bosh wants an injunction, disgorgement of profits, and further damages.


I see one valid point, that they rarely have actually wives on the show. Aside from Jennifer Williams, and Bryan Shaw and Brian Russell's wife, none of the cast mates are married. Seems like all the "Wives" shows are like that. No actual wives.

Source:Hollywood Reporter



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