Retired baseball legend Reggie Jackson astounded audiences for years with his prowess on the diamond--such astounding prowess that they put his name on a candy bar. The Reggie Bar came and went quietly, leaving little more behind than the taste of caramel and chocolate in the mouths of a few baseball and candy bar fans. Mr. October's latest endorsement deal, Reggie Jackson Casino, will leave behind a taste that isn't nearly as sweet.
Worldnet Casinos of Costa Rica has been touting a new online casino named after the Hall of Famer since it launched in June. The site bears Jackson's name, but it's owned and operated exclusively by Transworld S.A. and Worldnet Casinos, Inc.
The deal went sour a few weeks ago when Jackson learned that the company had attached his name to a separate Internet sports betting site and promptly asked for his name to be removed from both sites. To date, the sportsbook, Place That Bet, no longer carries Jackson's name or likeness. The Reggie Jackson Casino, however, still does.
"Our name was used without permission by the gaming site in reference to sports betting and we disassociated ourselves," Jackson told the Associated Press, "all with the compliance of Major League Baseball and all with their support."
Jackson also cut his ties with the e-casino. Under the agreement Jackson signed with the Net betting company, he could withdraw his name if baseball officials expressed concern over his association with Internet gambling.
"I went to the people who worked with us on the site," Jackson's attorney Ed Blum adds. "We terminated all involvement with everything because I felt I couldn't trust people who were forbidden to use Reggie's name for this purpose and went ahead and did it. It was a breach of trust and our agreement."
Worldnet Casinos declined comment on the situation.