Giants QB Kerry Collins is seeking $7M in damages from
sportswear company Logo 7, claiming the company "agreed to
pay him" $3.5M to endorse its products, "then dumped him
because of concern over his off-the-field image," according
to Robert Rudolph of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Legal papers
filed in NJ, which describe Collins as a "professional
legend" and "a young, loyal and dedicated athlete," claim
that he was "signed on as a 'consultant'" for Logo 7 in '95
and wore the company's hats, but was paid back with
"shameless mistreatment." The lawsuit charges that Logo 7,
and its former parent, VA-based Tultex, "breached their
contract," citing his "off-field" situation, an "apparent
reference" to Collins' troubles during his career, which
include allegedly making a racial slur against a teammate
while with the Panthers and his arrest for drunk-driving
while with the Saints. Collins' attorney Michael Berger
charged that Logo 7 had "basically terminated and repudiated
the contract" and "took the position 'they weren't obligated
to pay.'" Berger said that whatever off-field situation
"allegedly occurred," took place "before the contract was
agreed to." A Logo 7 exec declined comment, as the company
"has since been purchased from Tultex" (STAR-LEDGER, 4/13).