LaMelo Ball Must Face Trademark Claims Over Sneaker Design

NBA player LaMelo Ball failed to convince a federal court to nix a lawsuit against him from a former business associate who says Ball cut him out of the proceeds after they developed the player’s apparel brand together.

Gregory Alan Foster’s trademark infringement and fraud claims against Ball and Ball’s sneaker and clothing brand MB1 can move toward trial, the US District Court for the Central District of California said Monday.

Foster sued Ball, MB1, Ball’s parents LaVar and Tina, Puma, and others last year. His complaint argues he helped build MB1 by creating the name, designs, and marketing plans—but ...