Steve Nash goes to court to try to remove his name from B.C. fitness clubs

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      The greatest basketball player in Canadian history no longer wants to be associated with 21 B.C. fitness clubs that bear his name.

      Steve Nash and B & L Holdings Ltd. have filed legal action in Victoria, naming SNFW Fitness B.C. Ltd., Mark Mastrov, and Leonard Schlemm as defendants.

      Mastrov became part-owner of the NBA's Sacramento Kings in 2013 while Nash was still playing in the league.

      Nash became a partner in the chain of fitness clubs in 2006. According to the court filing, the former NBA all-star sold his shares in SNFW Fitness B.C. Ltd. in 2014 to the pair; the lawsuit has alleged that there have been no payments since then for use of Nash's name.

      In response, the defendants issued a statement praising Nash's athletic prowess but insisting that they have the legal right to continue calling the company Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Club. 

      "In due course, the company will establish before the courts that it has the lawful and exclusive right, pursuant to written agreements signed by Mr. Nash personally, to use Mr. Nash's name, voice, signature, likeness and image within British Columbia in the operation of its business," they said.

      In 2015, SNFW Fitness B.C. Ltd. signed an agreement with UFC Gym®, which is licensed by UFC president Dana White, to operate UFC Gyms in B.C. 

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