A settlement has been reached in the legal case between Milwaukee Milkmen (independent; American Association) ownership and ballpark naming-rights partner Routine Baseball, bringing resolution to a dispute between the two sides.
In September 2018, Milkmen ownership entity ROC Ventures–backed by managing partner Mike Zimmerman–and Franklin, WI-based apparel company Routine Baseball announced a naming-rights agreement for Routine Field, the home of the Milkmen that opened this past summer. Before unveiling the Routine Field name, the two sides struck a (LOI) spelling out the terms of the naming-rights deal, which called for Routine to pay $150,000 annually and for related company Complex Solutions LLC to become ROC Ventures’ exclusive merchandise and promotional product provider. In addition, the LOI called for ROC Ventures to receive 15 percent ownership stakes in Routine and Complex, while Routine assumed an 85 percent share of Lifestyle Sports Apparel LLC and received first rights to have a retail location in the development surrounding the ballpark.
However, the issue came under dispute over the summer, as Routine filed a lawsuit in August arguing that the LOI was never signed and that ROC Ventures should not have moved forward with the naming-rights deal. ROC Ventures filed a countersuit in September, alleging that Routine not only failed to pay naming rights, but also did not pay royalties and commitments due after Routine (as part of the transactions between ROC Ventures and Routine) took over Lifestyle Sports Apparel and Korked, another ROC Ventures enterprise that created apparel for Joe Maddon’s foundation. Furthermore, there was a dispute over a $150,000 loan made by ROC Ventures to Routine Baseball, and money due to Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group as part of the Korked takeover.
Last week, representatives for the two sides revealed that they had reached a settlement in the case. Paperwork to formally dismiss the case is expected to be submitted by mid-January. More from BizTimes:
The case was sent to magistrate judge for mediation in October.
In a hearing this week, the two sides said they had reached a settlement and would submit documents to dismiss the case by Jan. 15.
[Michael] DeGrave and Zimmerman did not respond to requests for comment on the settlement.
Routine Field opened in June. It is part of the larger ROC Ventures-led Ballpark Commons development, located in the Milwaukee suburb of Franklin.
RELATED STORIES: Countersuit: Routine Broke Naming-Rights Deal, Not ROC Ventures; Routine Field Naming Rights Subject of Lawsuit; New for 2019: Routine Field