Judge Sides With Worm Over Shirts

For now, Dennis Rodman’s tattoos will remain on his body and not on T-shirts. But he may have to bare his torso to make the ruling stick.

A federal judge in Newark, N.J., ruled Tuesday a New Jersey T-shirt maker appears to be unfairly profiting from Rodman’s fame and tattoos. He issued a preliminary injunction continuing to bar Fanatix Apparel Inc. and its 24-year-old president from marketing a long-sleeve, creamcolored T-shirt that has images of tattoos on the back, sleeves and front.

U.S. District Judge Alfred Wolin, who granted a restraining order sought by Rodman earlier this month, ruled following a half-hour hearing in federal court. Rodman, whose Chicago Bulls clinched a spot in the NBA Finals on Monday, did not attend.

But Wolin also ruled that lawyers for T-shirt entrepreneur Micky Goldschmidt have the right to take a deposition from Rodman two weeks after the Bulls’ season ends.

And Wolin left open the possibility that Rodman could be required to remove his shirt to show the dozen tattoos on his upper body and arms.

The shirts, selling for more than a year for about $20 in stores and via a Fanatix web site on the Internet, got a big boost when they were shown during a national telecast of a Bulls game this winter.

That led to huge sales of the “bootleg” shirts in major chain stores and supermarkets, especially around Chicago, Rodman lawyers said.

Goldschmidt sought Rodman’s endorsement for the product but never received it.

Another Magic comeback?

It’s possible another comeback is on the horizon for Magic Johnson. This one would be outside the United States.

Johnson’s agent told the Associated Press that at least three foreign teams have expressed interest in his client.

Johnson, who turns 37 in August, announced his retirement from the NBA earlier this month.

Cowens announcement today

Enthusiasm and gusto are what Dave Cowens will be looking for when he takes over as Charlotte Hornets coach.

“We will play with a lot of enthusiasm, because that’s what the fans come to see,” Cowens said from his Texas home before leaving for Charlotte. “Obviously, you can’t win them all. But you can play with gusto.”

When the Hornets introduce their fourth head coach at a news conference today, there is nothing to indicate the struggling NBA team’s new leader will be anyone but Cowens. The former Boston Celtics star confirmed that negotiations with Charlotte are finished.

“Everything looks real good,” he said.

Pitino decision expected

Though few have spoken to Rick Pitino since he left for a European vacation Sunday, the New Jersey Nets, as well as some people close to Pitino, believe the Kentucky coach may reveal whether he’ll accept the team’s offer to become coach.