Odell Beckham Jr. files $20 million-plus lawsuit against Nike

Odell Beckham Jr. is taking Nike to court.

The former LSU great, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since tearing the ACL in his left knee during Super Bowl LVI, has sued Nike for over $20 million, as first reported by TMZ.

“The problem traces to a decision by Nike to exercise a right of first refusal in 2017, matching an offer Beckham received from Adidas,” wrote Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “Then, in 2022, Nike allegedly began to withhold money from Beckham based on alleged technical violations of his agreement via the footwear and gloves he used in games.”

Beckham released a statement on Twitter on Monday, saying that while signing with Nike “was a dream I’ve had since being a young boy”, “Nike did not honor its commitments” to him.

“Throughout our partnership, I have kept my promise and fulfilled my obligations to the brand,” he said. “I am extremely disappointed that I’ve had to take these measures to ensure Nike fulfills their obligations and promises. Today, I’m taking a stand not just for me, but to set a precedent for all athletes who have dedicated their life to the sports they love — especially those who don’t have the means to stand up for themselves.”

Florio notes that since Beckham’s level of play has faded since an impressive beginning to his NFL career, “it’s entirely possible that Nike developed remorse, and that Nike decided to aggressively rely on fine print in the contract.”

“While the facts remain to be determined, it’s not crazy to think that Nike regrets a deal done at the height of his popularity,” he wrote.

We’ll see what ultimately comes out of this and the ramifications it may have for not just Beckham, but for future athletes signed to represent the company.