MLB union says settlement in works in suit against Pirates, grocery chain Sheetz over image use

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Major League Baseball Players Association said Thursday a settlement is nearing with Pittsburgh Pirates’ parent company and the convenience store chain Sheetz Inc., a day after a business subsidiary of the union sued 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.

While the union said a settlement was in the process of being negotiated, the suit remained pending Thursday afternoon.

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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