Exploring the Complexities Surrounding the Estate of Baseball Legend Pete Rose, as Revealed in the Life of Charlie Tussle
Pete Rose, Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader, passed away in his Las Vegas condominium in September 2024, leaving behind an estate estimated to be worth no less than $300,000 and potentially millions. However, the financial fate of his estate has been left in limbo due to the absence of a formal will.
Two of Rose's children, Fawn and Tyler, are locked in a battle for control of the estate. Fawn was appointed co-administrator by a Nevada court, a decision Tyler opposes due to her lack of contact with their father and his closer involvement in Rose’s business affairs.
Mike Maguire, Rose's longtime sports agent, plays a significant role in the estate's management. He holds a licensing agreement signed with Pete Rose in 2023, which gives him control over all endorsement deals and licensing agreements after Rose's death. These commercial rights are highly valuable, as Rose was recently removed from baseball's ineligible list and could be inducted into the Hall of Fame in December 2027, potentially increasing the value of his name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
Fawn filed a petition in June 2025 to stop Maguire's actions, arguing that they are causing confusion and damaging the estate. However, the court denied her petition, allowing Maguire to continue managing the licensing agreements.
Meanwhile, Tyler and Fawn have opposing views on the estate's assets and value, including disputes over physical items taken from Rose’s residence. Tyler alleges that Fawn has significantly undervalued the estate and there is a wide disparity in appraisals, which could carry substantial legal implications.
In addition to these disputes, Fawn's lawyers have accused Tyler of improperly taking estate property, including a luxury watch and a Gucci bag containing $25,000 in cash. Tyler has responded to these accusations, claiming the watch was a gift, the bag was likely counterfeit, and the cash amounted to just $5,000, which he returned along with a $17,000 check in October 2024.
Under Nevada's right of publicity statute, Rose's intellectual property rights continue for 50 years, potentially generating earnings for the estate. In January 2025, Fawn's request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent Maguire from acting on behalf of the estate was approved by the court, with Rose's other children formally consenting.
In May 2025, Major League Baseball posthumously reinstated Pete Rose, clearing the path for his eventual induction into the Hall of Fame and potential commercial opportunities. As of August 2025, no additional conflicts regarding licensing agreements or other aspects of NIL rights have been reported.
References: [1] ABC News, "Pete Rose's Estate: Family Feud Over Baseball Legend's Money and Memorabilia," 1 August 2025, https://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/pete-roses-estate-family-feud-baseball-legends-money-memorabilia/story?id=12345678
The children of Pete Rose, Fawn and Tyler, are locked in a dispute over the control and valuation of Rose's estate, which includes commercial rights in sports and commerce. Despite Fawn's petition to stop Maguire's actions, the court allowed him to continue managing licensing agreements, resulting in a significant role in the estate's management.
