Jordan sues Jewel, Dominick's over 'tribute' ads

Former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan is suing two Chicago-area supermarket chains over two separate advertisements that ran in a commemorative issue of Sports Illustrated dedicated to Jordan and his career.

Jordan filed the lawsuits Monday in Cook County Circuit Court against Dominick's and Jewel, contending the ads infringed on his trademark and business interests.

Part of the Dominick's ad features a coupon for a Rancher's Reserve steak, a trademark of Dominick's parent company, Safeway.

The lawsuit says Jordan was never contacted about the ad, which it says conflicts with steakhouses and a direct-mail steak business Jordan has lent his name to.

The Jewel ad contains a message of support for Jordan that ends with a Jewel slogan.

Officials at the Jewel and Dominick's chains were not available for comment Monday night.