Brett Bros. Sports named in false-advertising suit

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Lawyers are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit that claims Hall of Fame slugger George Brett has been falsely advertising necklaces and bracelets as being able to help improve health and sports performance.

A lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Des Moines claims Brett Bros. Sports International Inc., based in Spokane Valley, has falsely claimed its Ionic Necklaces help customers relieve pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back, recover from sports fatigue and improve focus. The company has also falsely claimed its bracelets, which include two roller magnets, would relieve wrist, hand and elbow pain, the lawsuit said.

Brett is president of the company.

The lawsuit says an Iowa man, Seth Thompson, bought one of the necklaces for $30 at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., last year after reading Brett’s endorsement of them. He hoped the product would reduce stress and fatigue and boost his energy and concentration, but none of those benefits were realized, rendering the product “useless to him,” the lawsuit says.

A representative of Brett Bros., which also sells baseball accessories, did not return an inquiry seeking comment.