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The Wing Guru, a well-known establishment in Memphis specializing in chicken wings, faces a significant financial obligation to Ja Morant, a star player for the Memphis Grizzlies, amounting to over $365,000. An arbitrator has ruled that the restaurant is prohibited from utilizing his name, image, or likeness in any promotional efforts.
This ruling, issued in August, is currently under review by the Shelby County Chancery Court following a request by Morant’s legal team for it to be upheld.
Morant’s attorneys contended that after the initial agreement was signed, The Wing Guru failed to meet its financial obligations about four months into the partnership. The assertion notes that, despite not fulfilling its payment duties, the company continued to utilize Morant’s likeness for their advertising purposes.
In January 2022, Morant entered into a contractual agreement with The Wing Guru, permitting the business to feature his image in marketing campaigns for a monthly fee of $6,250, which totaled approximately $75,000 annually.
After The Wing Guru ceased payments, Morant’s representatives contacted the restaurant in November 2022, seeking payment for the outstanding balance exceeding $43,000. According to the petition, the restaurant did not respond.
Morant’s attorneys recounted further attempts to communicate, including an email wherein The Wing Guru reassured them, “You guys will get the entire $75k by Jan. 1st. Relax. Thanks for your understanding.” However, no funds were received by that date or subsequently.
While acknowledging the relatively modest size of the financial agreement between Morant and The Wing Guru, the petition emphasized that the misuse of Morant’s name and likeness poses significant financial repercussions, especially considering his endorsement deal with Nike.
The advertising campaign featuring Morant’s likeness reportedly extended to regions including Nashville, Houston, and Dallas, coinciding with the opening of new restaurant locations in those cities.
However, as of this week, neither of those franchises was listed on The Wing Guru’s official website.
Arbitrator mandates payment to Ja Morant
Retired federal judge Bernice Donald, who served as the arbitrator, determined that The Wing Guru is obligated to compensate Morant a total of $365,525.30 and has issued an injunction preventing the use of his identity in their marketing moving forward.
In her ruling dated July 23, 2024, Donald specified that The Wing Guru must remit the remaining $43,750 due per the contract, along with $225,000 in compensatory damages—allocated as $75,000 for each city where Morant’s likeness was wrongly utilized—and $31,250 in punitive damages related to advertising outside the agreed-upon areas. Additionally, the judge stipulated that the restaurant cover Morant’s attorney fees.
The latest update from The Wing Guru featuring Morant on social media was posted to Instagram on November 30, 2022.
As of late November 2024, The Wing Guru did not file any motions to contest or modify the damages awarded in the arbitration, leading to the conclusion of the 90-day period during which such actions could have been undertaken.
Currently, the status of the financial payment remains unclear, as records indicate that efforts by a process server to reach The Wing Guru went unanswered after multiple attempts.
The Wing Guru retains partnerships with several athletes, including Morant’s teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. and NFL wide receiver Calvin Austin III.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The Wing Guru to pay Ja Morant over $365K, barred from using likeness
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