After failing to qualify, Vendt sues swimsuit maker
Former Member
sports.espn.go.com/.../story
Less than a week after failing to qualify for an individual event at the U.S. swimming trials, Olympian Erik Vendt filed a countersuit Thursday against a California company that claims he broke his contract by choosing to wear a rival swimsuit.
Vendt made his own breach-of-contract claims against TYR Sport in the federal lawsuit filed in California. He also sued the company for slander, alleging that comments made by its attorney, Larry Hilton, have cost the swimmer other endorsement deals.
TYR went to federal court in May with an antitrust case that claims USA Swimming has been working with Speedo to ensure all Americans wear that company's LZR Racer suit at the Beijing Olympics, even if they have deals with other companies such as TYR.
Also named in the suit were U.S. head coach and general manager Mark Schubert, who has openly touted the benefits of the Speedo suit while also working as a paid spokesman for the company, and Vendt, who had an endorsement deal with TYR but switched to the LZR Racer this year.
Former Member
I like the idea of a countersuit reason Swim suits, TYR or LZR. It is my comedic release.
Actually, it's neither. As my law school professors constantly reminded me, in Federal court the correct terms are "claim" and "counterclaim."
/ pedantry
His times must have been blindingly disappointing to him.
He set new personal bests in both the 200 free and 400 free. His only poor swim was the 1500 finals.
Nothing like another frivolous lawsuit. Why not just sue his coach also for poor preparation, and sue people who designed the pool. Maybe he had a bad breakfest at the pancake house and he can sue them also for having indigestion while he swam.
I agree the legal action against Vendt is risky for TYR. Surely every one of their athletes has gone back and revisited their contract with TYR to be sure they don't get in trouble. TYR surely considered this and decided it was worth it. Vendt must have really pissed them off.
No, he's on the team. He made it in the 200 free by finishing sixth.
yeah I think the title of this thread is misleading. It suggests that Vendt might be bitter. He did not qualify individually, but in fairness his shot at a gold medal is great.
It was not a smart move to bring the lawsuit against Erik. TYR might have hoped to ride out the swimsuit storm. But they're going to have great difficulty attracting new athletes well into the future even if their product becomes more competitive. Agents are going to avoid them.
It was not a smart move to bring the lawsuit against Erik. TYR might have hoped to ride out the swimsuit storm. But they're going to have great difficulty attracting new athletes well into the future even if their product becomes more competitive. Agents are going to avoid them.
Keith,
Great idea. Also, when I was in high school we were handed 2 suits. One was for traingin and i'm sure they were whatever was cheap. the other one was in our school colors.
Could this type of a claim be brought up in any other sport besides maybe track?
yeah I think the title of this thread is misleading. It suggests that Vendt might be bitter. He did not qualify individually, but in fairness his shot at a gold medal is great.
Yep. The ESPN writer actually phrased it that way.
It made it sound as if he was suing because he didn't qualify.
Wonder what the reaction would have been if he did qualify?
Interesting to note that he wears a TYR cap and goggles.
www.erikvendtonline.com/
I like the idea of a countersuit reason Swim suits, TYR or LZR. It is my comedic release.
Well, with that attitude you'd get an F in Civil Procedure. :p
