Court Petition by Pete Rose's Team Seeks Endorsement for Posthumous Name, Image, and Likeness Agreement
In a contentious legal battle, sports agent Mike Maguire is asserting control over all endorsement and licensing deals tied to the name, image, and likeness of the late baseball legend Pete Rose, following Rose's death in September 2024.
Maguire, who petitioned a Nevada state court in August 2023, aims to confirm the validity of a licensing agreement executed with Rose in March 2023. The one-page agreement, notarized by Jeffrey A. Klein, contains handwritten amendments, one of which names Dawn Erika Plancarte as an equal beneficiary. Plancarte, who signed the agreement as a witness, could potentially have a conflict of interest.
The agreement grants Maguire authority over all licensing and endorsement deals involving Rose's name and likeness after his death. It also allocates profits, with Maguire entitled to a 5% commission on new deals and an additional 5% for expenses. The posthumous licensing agreement entitles Tyler Rose, Pete Rose II, and Dawn Erika Plancarte to one-third of the proceeds from any future NIL deals involving Rose.
Notably, Fawn Rose, one of Rose's daughters, is challenging Maguire's role in pursuing NIL deals since Pete Rose's death. She argued that Maguire was damaging the estate and sowing confusion, but the judge ruled she failed to show immediate and irreparable harm. Fawn asked the court for a temporary restraining order to block Maguire in June, which was denied.
The revenue generated from these licensing rights is expected to far exceed the value of Rose's estate, especially since he has been reinstated by Major League Baseball. However, the licensing agreement does not include any of Pete Rose's children, except for Tyler Rose, Pete Rose II, and Dawn Erika Plancarte. Morgan Erin Rubio, a third daughter publicly acknowledged by Pete Rose, is also not referenced in the licensing agreement.
The judge's ruling allows Maguire to continue pursuing NIL deals, despite Fawn's objections. The current status of the legal dispute in Nevada over Pete Rose's posthumous licensing agreement involves ongoing family conflicts and further legal proceedings likely ahead. No newer developments from Nevada courts indicate resolution yet; the estate remains unsettled amid disputes among Rose’s heirs and Maguire regarding the validity and execution of the licensing agreement.
Additionally, Fawn Rose and Amber Fiechtner were appointed co-administrators of the estate, but Rose's son, Tyler, is challenging Fawn's role. The estate proceedings in Nevada continue, with the future of Rose's posthumous licensing deals still uncertain.
[1] Source: Nevada State Court Records and Associated Press Reports.
Sports agent Mike Maguire's pursuit of sports-betting endorsements, exploiting the late baseball legend Pete Rose's name and likeness, has become a contentious issue among Rose's heirs. Despite Fawn Rose's objections, Maguire's authority over such deals, as stipulated in the posthumous licensing agreement, allows him to venture into sports-betting sponsorships. However, the ongoing legal dispute in Nevada over Pete Rose's posthumous licensing agreement may yet impede Maguire's plans.
