Photos
A lawsuit filed in federal court in Des Moines, Iowa, claims Spokane Valley-based Brett Bros. Sports International Inc. has falsely claimed its Ionic Necklaces help customers relieve pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back, recover from sports fatigue and improve focus. The company has also falsely claimed its bracelets, which include two roller magnets, would relieve wrist, hand and elbow pain, the lawsuit said.
Brett, who was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1999 after a 21-year career with the Kansas City Royals, has been president of the company since 2001 and appears in its advertisements. Brett and brothers Bobby and John also own the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. Brother Ken died from cancer in 2003.
The claims appeared on the company’s website from 2008 to 2010, and still appear on the packaging of the products and on the websites of its distributors, according to the lawsuit.
“Most consumers, when reading these claims, and seeing the products endorsed by a high-profile baseball player, assume that these products have the health benefits that are marketed and advertised and that scientifically significant research supports statements made by Brett Bros., when in fact that is not the case,” reads the lawsuit, which alleges the company violated the state Consumer Frauds Act and been unjustly enriched.
HAMILTON SEES DOCTORS
Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton visited doctors for Major League Baseball and the players association this week in New York after his relapse with alcohol.
General manager Jon Daniels said Hamilton was accompanied by Shayne Kelley, the team’s newly hired major league staff assistant, whose job includes being in a support role for Hamilton.
Daniels said it was “unlikely” that the Rangers would discipline Hamilton and that the team would defer to MLB’s handling of the situation.
SHORT HOPS
NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers avoided a salary arbitration hearing, agreeing to a $19 million, two-year contract. … Shortstop Elvis Andrus and the Rangers agreed to a three-year contract and avoided salary arbitration. … Athletics owner Lew Wolff said the team has agreed to extend the contracts of GM Billy Beane and team president Michael Crowley through the 2019 season. … The Yankees agreed to a minor league deal with ex-Mariner utilityman Bill Hall and invited him to spring training. Hall played in 34 games for Seattle in 2009. … Police say former major league outfielder Danny Clyburn Jr., 37, was shot and killed in his hometown of Rock Hill, S.C., following an argument.
