Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott is suing Christian Matthew, a Mississippi-based T-shirt maker, "for using his name on several products," according to Joey Barnes of WCBI-CBS. The suit, filed in Oktibbeha County (Miss.) Circuit Court, asks a judge to stop Matthew from "printing and selling shirt that say 'Dak Attack' and 'Dak Dynasty.'" The suit claims Matthew Print & Apparel Company LLC "did not have permission to use Prescott's name or likeness." The shirts have been sold "on the company's website and promoted on its Facebook page." It is an NCAA violation "if Prescott does not take the proper steps to stop the t-shirts from being sold" (WCBI.com, 12/11). In Jackson, Michael Bonner reports Prescott has hired an attorney "through the NCAA Opportunity Fund," which helps student-athletes "when they can't afford certain things, such as legal action or to travel home due to family emergencies." MSU Assistant AD/Media Relations Bill Martin indicated that "numerous vendors have attempted to use the emergence of Prescott for profit" this season. He added that the school "has been proactive all season in attempts to prevent the use of Prescott's likeness." MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter said that the school "is not involved in the lawsuit" (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 12/12).
