The Chicago Cubs have filed suit against defunct private jet club Aerovanti, claiming they owe millions for allegedly "ghosting" the Cubs on a sweepstakes promotion, leaving the Cubs holding the bag.
The Cubs filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court on Feb. 21 against Aerovanti Aviation LLC.
According to the lawsuit, Aerovanti and the Cubs signed a marketing contract in March 2023. Under the contract, Aerovanti received sponsorship rights and privileges to market through the Cubs during the 2023-2027 Major League Baseball seasons, including being designated as the “Official Private Air and Yacht Club Partner of the Chicago Cubs."
Under that contract, Aerovanti also agreed to operate a sweepstakes, under which one winner would receive a round-trip private flight for two people from Chicago to Florida, a helicopter ride for two people in an Aerovanti helicopter and a yacht charter for two people aboard a yacht named the "Casino Royale.”
However, Aerovanti ceased operations in June 2023 amidst an ongoing fraud investigation and lawsuit, and never paid the Cubs the $3 million it allegedly agreed to pay.
Further, the Cubs were sued by the sweepstakes winner, who forced the Cubs to compensate him for Aerovanti's refusal to award the prize,
The Cubs are asking the court to order Aerovanti to pay $3 million, plus interest and attorney's fees.
The Cubs are represented by attorneys Kal Shah and Katie Burnett, of Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff, of Chicago.