So, this whole thing started back in 2006. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was just chilling, and then this idea popped into my head, this wild thought, that wouldn’t leave me alone. You see, people always told me I looked a bit like Michael Jordan, the basketball legend. At first, I thought nothing of it, but then it started to get to me, this constant comparison.
I’m just an average guy, Allen Heckard, from Portland, Oregon, and here I was, being compared to one of the most famous athletes in the world. The resemblance, while flattering at times, started causing me trouble. It got to the point where I couldn’t go out without someone commenting, asking for an autograph, or just staring. It was messing with my head. So, I did something about it. I started thinking, “What if I could make something out of this?”
I decided to take a big step, a bold one. I thought, “Why not sue Michael Jordan and Nike?” I mean, they were making millions off his image, and here I was, dealing with the consequences of looking like him. The whole thing, this resemblance was causing me “emotional pain and suffering,” “defamation,” and “permanent injury” in my mind. It felt like a big deal. I got to work. I started gathering every bit of info I could find.
I got a lawyer, and we started to draft the lawsuit. I wanted $416 million from Michael Jordan. Sounded like a lot, but it felt right at the time. And then, I thought, “Why stop there?” I decided to sue Phil Knight, the big boss at Nike, for the same amount. After all, they were the ones who helped make Michael Jordan so famous. This whole thing, it was all tied together. I remember spending hours with my lawyer, going through all the details. It was a lot. But I felt like I had to do it.
We filed the lawsuit. The news picked it up, and it became this big story. People were talking about it everywhere. I was getting calls, messages, and all sorts of attention. Some thought I was crazy, others thought I was a genius. It was a whirlwind of emotions and reactions.
- Gathered all my courage (and a lawyer).
- Drafted the lawsuit against Michael Jordan and Phil Knight.
- Filed the lawsuit in court.
- Dealt with the media frenzy that followed.
In the end, though, I dropped the lawsuit. It was getting too much. The pressure, the attention, the whole legal process was taking a toll on me. I realized that maybe this wasn’t the best way to deal with the situation. I ended up withdrawing the lawsuit without any settlement. It was a wild ride, something I’ll never forget. Looking back, it was a crazy time, a unique experience. It taught me a lot about myself, about the legal system, and about the power of media.
And that’s the story of how I, Allen Heckard, a regular guy from Portland, sued Michael Jordan and Nike for $832 million. It’s a story I’ll be telling for years to come, I’m sure of it.
