MLB Players’ Association subsidiary sues Pirates, grocery chain Sheetz over image use

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A business subsidiary of the Major League Baseball Players Association sued the Pittsburgh Pirates’ parent company and the convenience store chain Sheetz Inc., alleging unlicensed use of players’ names and images on social media.

In a complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, MLB Players Inc. claimed violation of Pennsylvania law regarding the unauthorized use of name and likenesses, common law misappropriation of identity and unjust enrichment. MLB Players Inc. asked for an injunction against the team and Sheetz in addition to damages.

The Pirates announced a jersey patch sponsorship deal with Sheetz on June 21. The suit alleges posts on Instagram, X and Facebook by the team and Sheetz improperly used the images of Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Andrew McCutcheon, Nick Gonzales, Carmen Mlodzinski and Connor Joe.

Sheetz did not respond to a request for comment send to its media relations email address, and the Pirates did not respond to a request for comment.

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