The Business Divorce Law Report
Derek Jeter promised his new business partners that his ownership and support of the Frigo brand of men’s underwear would not conflict with the superstar Yankee’s obligations to sportswear giant Nike. In return, RevolutionWear, Inc. gave him 15 percent of the company and a seat on the board.
Apparently, Nike did not take too kindly to Jeter becoming well-known as one of the principal owners of a competitor, and when the athlete failed to embrace the brand — $50 undershirts and $100 briefs — the relationship spun out of control. Jeter filed suit first, seeking a declaration supporting his conduct. RevolutionWear counterclaimed, alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.
The decision of the Delaware Chancery Court in Jeter v. Revolutionwear, Inc., C.A. No.11706-VCG (Del. Chancery July 19, 2016) points out some of the pitfalls in trading equity for services. Once Jeter was on board, according to the plaintiff’s counterclaim, he was loathe to be publicly associated with the enterprise, or in other words, to live up to his obligations.