Hat World, Inc., a division of Genesco, Inc. also known as Lids Sports Group, last week filed suit against the former owners of Impact Sports, the team dealer acquired by Lids as part of its move to build a national team dealer network.
The defendants, identified as Thomas Handlen and his two sons, Jeff and John Handlen, joined Hat World to lead the Lids Team Sports division created in 2009 following Hat World’s $4 million acquisition of Impact Sports.
The suit alleges that the Handlens violated their contracts and non-compete clauses by starting a rival business and attempting to take customers and employees with them.
The complaint seeks monetary damages and a permanent injunction prohibiting the men from soliciting customers and employees for one year, and from disclosing any of Hat World's trade secrets.
In addition to monetary losses resulting from the Handlens’ conduct, Hat World also will “sustain intangible losses that cannot be remedied by any award” if a temporary restraining award and permanent injunction are not granted, the suit said.
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