Danish handball legend Mikkel Hansen is among 13 elite athletes taking legal action against streaming platform HBO Max over the alleged unauthorised use of their images during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Mikkel Hansen is preparing for a new battle, this time in court rather than on the handball court. The former Denmark international is part of a group of 13 athletes suing HBO Max over the commercial use of their images without permission or compensation.
The case will be heard at the Maritime and Commercial High Court in Copenhagen, with proceedings scheduled to begin on 26 October.
Athletes demand compensation
The dispute centres on the alleged use of photographs featuring the athletes in promotional material for HBO Max during the Paris 2024 Olympics. According to the claimants, the streaming service used their images without obtaining the necessary consent.
The group includes athletes from several sports, including handball, cycling, badminton and golf.
The claimants are seeking approximately €7,000 in compensation for each alleged unauthorised use of an image. The total amount claimed exceeds €270,000.
Hansen, who retired from professional handball in 2024, was one of Denmark’s biggest sporting stars at the Paris Olympics, where he helped the national team win gold.
Source: HandNews