Nike Sues NFL Player for Breach of Contract

Nike Inc. sued Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, claiming that he breached a contract by signing with rival Reebok International Ltd. without allowing Nike to match the offer.

Culpepper signed a one-year agreement with Nike in July 2000 that the biggest apparel maker said gave it the right to match any offer by a competitor, according to the complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Oregon. Culpepper verbally agreed in October 2001 to re-sign with Nike but hasn’t completed the agreement, the complaint said.

Neither Culpepper’s agent nor Reebok returned phone calls seeking comment.