The Greatest of All Time has sold 80% of the rights to his name for $50 million to an entertainment firm, CKX. Ali and his family will retain the rest. CKX also controls the rights to Elvis Presley’s music and Graceland. They will form a new firm called, wait for it, Greatest Of All Time to watch over Ali’s name.
I’m worried about The State Of . . . the Muhammad Ali’s legacy. I hope I won’t be buying “Greatest of All Time” grilling machines for Christmas. I understand the need of these guys to secure the future of their families and to make the money they either didn’t make or made and lost early in their careers. But I couldn’t help but cringe when I heard this story. Who knows what some ad exec will come up with in the future as a way to cash in on Ali’s name? How can we be sure it respects the legacy, history, and stature of Ali? Is it our job to anyway?
Filed under: Uncategorized
