Coca-Cola has apologized to Yao Ming, the Chinese basketball star, in a settlement that ends a legal spat over the use of his image and name without permission.
Yao, who plays for the Houston Rockets, sued the soft drink giant in May for a symbolic 1 yuan, or about 12 cents, citing spiritual and economic losses. He asked that Atlanta-based Coca-Cola apologize.
The suit came after Yao—who has an international endorsement deal with Pepsi—accused Coca-Cola of using his image without permission on a new line of commemorative Coke bottles in China that featured Yao and two other members of the Chinese national team. Coca-Cola contended that it could use the image of any member of the Chinese national team through an agreement with the Chinese Sports Management Co., which runs the team.
In May, Yao inked an international deal with Purchase, NY-based Pepsi to be featured on Pepsi cans, posters and TV spots in China and possible in promotions in the U.S. He struck a sponsorship deal earlier in the year with Pepsi’s Gatorade brand.
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