Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman is being sued by a marketing company for allegedly breaking a contract to launch a line of premium steaks under the ex-champ’s brand.
The suit, brought by GreatMeals USA, alleges that it was hired by George Foreman Foods in 2003 to create a Web site for the steaks and to handle sales via the Internet, catalogs and cable shopping networks. As part of the arrangement, Foreman allegedly agreed to promote the steak and make personal appearances.
In the suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, GreatMeals USA says that it spent hundreds of thousands of dollars launch the product, reached a $37 million licensing deal with the Home Shopping Network and had a catalog ready to launch, when the deal fell through partly because of Foreman’s refusal to participate in promotions.
The suit brings claims of fraud, breach of contract and interference with contract against Foreman and a Miami-based law firm, and asks for $50 million in damages.
