Mike Tyson Sued Over Scrapped Rabona Campaign
Medier Ltd, the company behind the Rabona online gambling brand, is suing Mike Tyson and his promotional business Tyrannic in London's High Court over a sponsorship agreement the boxer is accused of unlawfully abandoning.
According to The Independent's report on the hearing, the deal was signed in January 2024 and involved an instalment-based $2m fee for Tyson, of which he was paid nearly $190,000 before the relationship broke down.
Medier's barrister told the court that Tyson and Tyrannic, the company controlled by his wife Lakiha Tyson, lost interest in the campaign once his far more lucrative $15m exhibition fight against Jake Paul was confirmed.
Tyson's legal team disputes that account, arguing instead that Medier broke the agreement first.
Dispute Centres On A Giant Talking Pigeon
At the heart of the case is disagreement over what the contract actually required.
Tyson had agreed to promote Rabona's gaming services at live-streamed events and at a gambling industry conference in Amsterdam in July 2024, under a deal lawyers say was restricted to him playing casino games or other approved features on the site.
Medier wanted him to go further and appear on a livestream alongside a presenter in a giant talking pigeon costume, interviewing Tyson before he taught the character to box.
No Ruling Yet
Tyson's lawyers argue that performance went well beyond what the contract reasonably required; Medier's side says his withdrawal, which it links to scheduling conflicts around the Paul fight, amounted to a breach.
The case is a reminder of how specific celebrity-endorsement contracts in gambling marketing have become, an area GDC has also covered through other athlete and influencer tie-ups such as Spribe's Aviator ambassador deal.
Mr Justice Richards has not yet ruled on the dispute.
