In a tale that reads like a Hollywood script, boxing legend Mike Tyson and wrestling icon Ric Flair are taking their former business partners to court, alleging they were defrauded in a high-stakes cannabis venture. According to a federal lawsuit filed in Illinois, the stars claim their names and likenesses were exploited for personal gain, leaving them out of pocket while enriching a select few insiders.
The lawsuit, spanning 76 pages, targets four former executives of Carma HoldCo, a celebrity branding company launched in 2021 to license famous names across cannabis, hemp, and related products. Tyson and Flair allege that, instead of growing the brand responsibly, the executives engaged in a pattern of unauthorized deals, side agreements, and extravagant personal spending—ranging from private jets to luxury yachts.
Flair’s intellectual property is reportedly at the center of the dispute. The suit claims he was maneuvered into a minority position in a company holding his own branding rights, which was later sold to Carma in transactions that allegedly favored executives over the wrestling legend. Tyson’s name, too, allegedly appeared on unauthorized products extending beyond cannabis, including nicotine vapes, mushroom edibles, and gambling apps.
The complaint further paints a picture of a celebrity cannabis world where rapid expansion and weak oversight created opportunities for self-enrichment at the expense of the very stars lending their fame. Tyson and Flair are seeking damages and legal costs exceeding $50 million, though the case is far from resolved and defendants have yet to respond.
As the courtroom drama unfolds, one thing is clear: even in the booming celebrity cannabis industry, sometimes the only thing higher than the profits is the stakes in court.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
