Streetball legend sues Nike, Foot Locker

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NEW YORK, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A New York man known for being a great basketball "streetballer" is suing two companies for using his name on garments without his permission, records show.

Joe Hammond, 61, known on Harlem blacktops in the 1970s as "The Destroyer" for his cocky, skillful basketball moves, filed suit in Manhattan federal court against Nike Inc. and Footlocker Inc. for the unauthorized use of his name on T-shirts, the New York Post reported Sunday.

The shirts read: "Joe The Destroyer Hammon" with a picture of a well-worn basketball hoop. Hammond's last name is misspelled on the shirts, the Post said.

Hammond's suit asks for $5 million, the Post reported.

"They put a shirt of mine in Foot Locker with no contract," said Hammond, who once turned down a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Nike declined to comment, the newspaper said.