'Basketball Wives' Lawsuits: Gilbert Arenas, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard Battle To Protect Their Image

In 2010, VH1 debuted a new reality show titled Basketball Wives, which was created by Shaquille O'Neal's ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal. Although the show included Wives in the title, it actually includes a mix of current wives and girlfriends, as well as a variety of ex-wives and girlfriends. The show has done fairly solid ratings since its debut as people enjoy the "reality" of basketball spouses. Unfortunately for the ladies of Basketball Wives, some of their ex-significant others do not share that interest. Last week, Orlando Magic guard Gilbert Arenas sued the show and his ex-girlfriend Laura Govan for a variety of trademark and right of publicity infringements.

Since debuting in April 2010, the show has had two lawsuits filed against it by current NBA players, a third threatened lawsuit and a fourth counter-suit from one of the show's participants. The first action saw Magic center Dwight Howard file suit this past April against his ex-friend Royce Reed for violating a gag order following their split. Reed had a child with Howard and after they split up, Howard got a court order preventing Reed from discussing Howard and their relationship with the media. Her decision to appear on Basketball Wives followed a previous violation of the court order that resulted in a $500,000 judgment she reportedly still has not paid.

Prior to Howard's lawsuit against Reed, Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh threatened to sue the show if they let his ex-girlfriend Allison Mathis appear on the show. This resulted in her being booted off after taping two episodes. Needless to say, Mathis was not pleased and she filed suit in a Florida court on June 13. In her suit she claimed Bosh lied to the show's producers and cost her the job. She is suing Bosh for (PDF) tortious interference with advantageous business relationship, tortious interference with contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The final and most recent lawsuit involves Agent Zero, Gilbert Arenas. On June 23, Arenas filed suit against the show and his ex-girlfriend Laura Govan. The Arenas lawsuit could be the suit that brings down Basketball Wives, or at least forces the show to change its name. Many of the women involved are not actually wives of the players mentioned and several are not even in relationships with the players anymore. Arenas' suit claims the show is providing these women with a worldwide platform to use famous basketball player names and likenesses without permission or authorization.

Arenas claims the show is misappropriating his name and/or likeness without acceptable First Amendment protection. Accordingly, Arenas is suing under seven claims for relief:

1. Trademark Infringement
2. Trademark Dilution
3. False Advertising
4. False Endorsement
5. California Common Law Misappropriation of Likeness and Right of Publicity
6. Misappropriation of Likeness and Right of Publicity
7. Unfair Competition

The odds would seem pretty high that this lawsuit will eventually result in some sort of settlement. The question is what kind of settlement will be reached. Shaunie O'Neal and VH1 have a vested interest in maintaining the brand of Basketball Wives but this lawsuit goes to the very heart of the show's name. It will be interesting to see if Arenas' lawsuit leads to a name-change or if it simply results in Mathis' removal from the show. Whatever the result, we'll be here with updates as these various lawsuits work their way through the court system.