Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies star and one of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA‘s most dynamic players, has secured a $300,000 settlement after suing a Memphis restaurant for breaching their contract. This latest legal development involving Morant highlights ongoing tensions off the court for the 26-year-old All-Star, as the dispute with The Wing Guru centered on the unauthorized use of his name and image despite a failed payment agreement.
Background of Ja Morant’s Legal Challenges
The Memphis Grizzlies have recently faced difficult situations involving their franchise cornerstone, Ja Morant. Once a strong contender for the NBA MVP and key to the Grizzlies’ best seasons, Morant’s off-court troubles have drawn significant attention. In 2022, Morant was accused of assaulting a 17-year-old during a pickup basketball game in Memphis, an incident that sparked a lawsuit against him. According to reports, Morant allegedly punched the teenager multiple times and displayed a firearm, with the accusation first detailed in a police report.
“Ja Morant was accused of punching a 17-year-old boy 12-13 times and flashing a gun at him during a pickup basketball game last summer, according to a police report obtained by @mollyhcFull story: https://t.co/NsRnhsIXlk pic.twitter.com/DH0utTt37V” — Bleacher Report
The case against Morant was ultimately dismissed when a judge ruled that he acted in self-defense, allowing Morant to avoid further legal consequences. This episode, however, added strain to his public image and the reputation of the Memphis Grizzlies organization.
Details of the Lawsuit Against The Wing Guru
Morant’s recent lawsuit flipped the narrative, positioning him as the plaintiff. He took legal action against The Wing Guru, a Memphis restaurant, after they allegedly continued to exploit his name, image, and likeness without fulfilling their payment obligations. The dispute arose from a contract Morant had entered into to promote the restaurant’s business. When payments ceased but promotional use of his persona persisted, Morant’s legal team intervened.
“A Shelby County Chancery Court has ordered Memphis restaurant The Wing Guru to pay the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant over $300,000 in damages and interest after the All-Star point guard sued them for breach of contract,”
FOX13 reported.
The Wing Guru reportedly acknowledged the debt on social media, stating they intended to pay the $75,000 owed, but Morant and his lawyers maintain that no such payment was received. The dispute extended to an arbitrator, who ruled decisively in Morant’s favor.
“FOX13 previously reported that Morant had agreed to a contract to promote the business some years ago, but later sued after the restaurant stopped paying him while continuing to use his name, image, and likeness to promote their food. Morant’s lawyer said the Wing Guru responded to their claims on Instagram, claiming that they would receive the full $75,000 they were owed, but Morant claimed he never received that money.” — FOX13 report
The ruling required The Wing Guru to cease use of Morant’s likeness and pay over $300,000 in damages, along with interest and legal fees. Additionally, the restaurant faced a deadline in late November 2024 to contest the decision or complete the payment, but Morant’s legal team confirmed no action was taken by the restaurant.
“The case went to an arbitrator, who sided with Morant, ordering the restaurant to stop using his likeness and pay $300,000 in compensation and damages plus interest, and another $65,000 in interest and legal costs. The business had until late November 2024 to either try to get the case thrown out or pay, but Morant’s lawyers said neither happened.” — FOX13 report
Implications of the Settlement for the Memphis Grizzlies and Morant
This settlement represents a rare positive legal outcome for Ja Morant amid a series of off-court controversies that have unsettled both him and the Memphis Grizzlies franchise. The team’s management and the NBA likely see this resolution as a necessary step toward stabilizing Morant’s public standing and reducing distractions that could affect his performance.
While Morant continues to face pressures navigating both his professional career and personal challenges, the conclusion of the case against The Wing Guru may provide some relief. For the Memphis Grizzlies, maintaining focus on Morant’s on-court talents remains critical to advancing their competitive prospects in the seasons ahead.