April 2018. Muhammad Ali Enterprises, which represents the late boxer’s family trust, has filed a 30 million dollar lawsuit against US TV news channel Fox Broadcasting Co for showing a 3-minute promotional video featuring Ali during the 2017 Superbowl.

Right of publicity

According to Muhammad Ali Enterprises, Fox infringed Ali’s portrait rights and his ‘right of publicity’. Given that the Superbowl was watched by more than 100 million viewers, they argued that a sum of 30 million dollars would be an appropriate level of compensation.

Freedom of expression

Fox has defended itself, arguing that the clip was an example of freedom of expression and that Muhammad Ali Enterprises shouldn’t think they have total control over all forms of publicity surrounding the boxing legend.