Lavar Arrington Sues Card Companies For Using His Likeness

Redskins LB LaVar Arrington is suing Upper Deck, Pacific Trading Cards and Playoff Corp. for "producing and selling trading cards bearing his likeness without his permission," according to Ruben Castaneda of the WASHINGTON POST. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in MD, alleges the companies made and sold Arrington's rookie cards even though he never signed an agreement with Players Inc., which handles trading card licensing deals, allowing the companies to use his likeness. Arrington is seeking damages of $825,000 — the total amount of fines paid to Players Inc. for the error. Arrington "is believed to be the first" NFL player to file such a lawsuit (WASHINGTON POST, 4/26).