In Baltimore, Holden Wilen noted former NFLer Shawne Merriman "filed a lawsuit" yesterday against Under Armour for trademark infringement. Merriman and his San Diego-based Lights Out Holdings claim UA "violated a trademark of 'Lights Out'" by marketing its basketball shoe line for Warriors G Stephen Curry under the name "Curry 3 Lights Out." The lawsuit also accuses UA of "federal unfair competition, common law unfair competition, false endorsement, violation of the California business and professions code and breach of contract." For counterfeiting, Merriman and Lights Out seek $2M "per item sold, offered for sale or distributed" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/1).
CANNED GOODS: JR Motorsports and Pinnacle Foods' Armour brand will continue their NASCAR Xfinity Series partnership. FOXSPORTS.com's Chase Wilhelm noted the multiyear extension will see Armour as the "primary sponsor in four races" for driver Elliot Sadler the next two seasons. The brand has been with JRM since '14 (FOXSPORTS.com, 2/1).
LOOK WHO'S BACK: In St. Louis, Joe Holleman noted Pirates 3B David Freese has "inked a deal that brings him back" as the spokesperson for St. Louis-based Imo's Pizza. The former Cardinals infielder appeared as Imo’s spokesperson in '13 and '14, but the "pact lapsed" when Freese was traded to the Angels (STLTODAY.com, 2/1).
