Speedo Suit Rules Pool, Sparks Lawsuit

Entertainment & Sports Law

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 11:59 am CDT
By Martha Neil

Updated: A form-fitting swimsuit manufactured by Speedo is credited with helping athletes set 38 world records since February.

Meanwhile, the LZR Racer suit has also sparked at least one lawsuit and possible breaches of contract. A manufacturer has sued over Speedo performance claims, and athletes under contract with other manufacturers to endorse—and wear—their swimsuits are mulling breaching their product endorsement agreements to shift to Speedo, says Reuters. If they make the swimsuit switch, many reportedly will have to pay fines but will escape litigation if they ante up.

Swimwear manufacturer TYR Sport Inc. has filed suit against Mark Shubert, the head coach of the U.S. swim team for the Olympics, and Warnaco Group's Speedo unit. It accuses Shubert of disparaging Speedo's competitors and Warnaco, a major Speedo distributor, of antitrust violations, false advertising and restraint of trade.

Warnaco says the lawsuit has no merit. It was filed May 12 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "What’s Unfair Today May Be Fair Tomorrow, and Vice-Versa"

Los Angeles Times: "Former Olympian sees irony in swimsuit lawsuit"

Updated at 3:50 p.m., central time, to include Los Angeles Times coverage.

Comments

Report Abuse

Posted by JBo - 2 months, 1 week, 6 days, 18 hours, 6 minutes ago

This is what gives litigation a bad name. The public shouldn’t have to support a judicial system for the convenience of these titans of schlock.

Commenting has expired on this post.

ABA Journal - Law News Now

Entertainment & Sports Law