Summary
- American artist Tyrell Winston has filed a lawsuit against the New Orleans Pelicans following a post that depicts team members posed in front an assemblage of deflated basketballs that bear resemblance to Winston’s works.
- As a result of alleged copyright violation, the artist is seeking a jury trial and monetary compensation for the “damage” done to both his reputation and market for his work.
On July 30, artist Tyrell Winston has filed a lawsuit against the New Orleans Pelicans, alleging copyright infringement for his “signature” deflated basketball wall sculptures.
The legal battle centers a set of photos posted to the team’s Instagram account last year. The posts show several players posed in front of 5-by-5 array of deflated basketballs mounted on a white wall, which Winston called a “willful” and “identical” copy of his own pieces “Manhattanhenge” and “R.O.I.” in a complaint filed to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Both works works have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office as of July 18, 2025.
Winston is best known for his installation works created from flattened basketballs sourced from around the world. These works have made their way into a fair share of major galleries and museums, alongside the licensing of partnerships with brands, such as Nike and adidas.
In year’s past, Winston’s basketball artworks caught the attention of several heads within the NBA world, earning him an invitation to All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis in 2024. To substantiate his position on the grounds of influence and “cultural legitimacy,” the complaint also cites his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and artwork purchased and displayed by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores.
He is currently seeking a jury trial and monetary compensation for the “damage” done to both his reputation and market for his work.
Winston’s counsel had sent the team a cease-and-desist notice to the team last October, though it was allegedly ignored. The Pelicans will address the complaint and move for its dismissal in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more details.
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