Court Petition for Endorsement of Posthumous Name, Image, and Likeness Agreement for Pete Rose
In a surprising turn of events, the estate of baseball legend Pete Rose, who passed away in September 2024 without leaving a will, has been embroiled in a contentious dispute over a licensing agreement. The agreement, dated March 2023, grants sports agent Mike Maguire authority over all licensing and endorsement deals involving Rose's name and likeness after his death.
The one-page agreement, which cannot be bought or sold without prior written consent from Maguire, entitles Rose's sons, Tyler Rose (Pete Rose II) and Dawn Erika Plancarte, along with Plancarte herself, to one-third of the proceeds from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals involving Rose. However, another daughter of Pete Rose, Cara, and Morgan Erin Rubio, another daughter, are not included as beneficiaries to the licensing agreement.
The agreement, which contains handwritten amendments, has raised concerns due to Plancarte's signature as a witness, potentially indicating a conflict of interest. Maguire would earn a 5% commission on new deals and an additional 5% for expenses.
Maguire has petitioned a Nevada state court to confirm the validity of the licensing agreement, arguing that it exists outside the probate process and is not subject to the administration of Rose's estate. Fawn Rose, the executor of the estate and another daughter of Pete Rose, believes that Maguire's actions are damaging the estate and sowing confusion.
In June, Fawn Rose asked the court for a temporary restraining order to block Maguire from using the licensing agreement. However, Nevada Circuit Court Judge Carolyn Ellsworth denied Fawn's request, ruling that she had failed to show how Maguire's actions caused immediate and irreparable harm.
Fawn Rose has accused Mike Maguire of operating without legal authority in pursuing NIL deals since her father's death. The revenue generated from licensing rights is expected to exceed the value of Rose's estate, especially since he has been reinstated by Major League Baseball.
As of July 30, 2025, no verified information or legal case is currently reported concerning a posthumous licensing agreement dispute involving Pete Rose. If this is a developing matter, details may not yet be publicly available or widely reported in legal databases and news.
Tyler Rose (Pete Rose II) and Dawn Erika Plancarte, being included as beneficiaries in the licensing agreement, are entitled to one-third of the proceeds from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals involving baseball legend Pete Rose. Contrarily, Cara and Morgan Erin Rubio, two other daughters of Pete Rose, are omitted as beneficiaries, causing contention in the estate.
