Jack Doherty Shuffle Deal: Why His Sponsor Wants Him Offline
Alex Harper • Oct 14, 2026 
A gambling marketing firm has taken Mike Tyson to court in London, claiming £1.5 million (roughly $2 million). The Mike Tyson lawsuit traces back to a 2024 casino promo built around a talking pigeon.
The pigeon attracts attention, but the real dispute concerns Tyson’s contractual obligations.
Key Insights: The Mike Tyson Lawsuit
The Mike Tyson lawsuit boils down to four points.
- Medier Ltd., Rabona’s marketing firm, has a claim against Tyson and Tyrannic LLC, run by Lakiha Spicer, Tyson’s wife.
- Medier believes Tyson withdrew to keep his Netflix fight versus Jake Paul on track.
- Tyson’s side insists the deal only required footage of him playing Rabona’s games.
- Rabona operates under a Curaçao license and has no US state approval.
How the Rabona Deal Fell Apart
Tyson’s company signed with Medier in January 2024, then withdrew two months later, in March. Notably, his exit landed on the date the Paul bout went public.
Medier wanted Tyson at iGB Live, a four-day online gambling trade show in Amsterdam that opened July 16, 2024. The court heard the fee totaled £1.5 million in staged payments. However, Medier paid out only about £145,000 (around $190,000) before the split.
What the Talking Pigeon Livestream Involved
Medier pitched an online show it called “Talking Pigeons.” Tyson would read scripted lines next to four presenters, and one would dress up as an oversized pigeon.
The format blended Rabona casino play with stories from Tyson’s early years. Also, a boxing segment had him striking a dummy made to resemble Evander Holyfield.
Notably, the theme suits Tyson, who has raced pigeons since boyhood.
Tyson vs. Medier: Each Side’s Argument
Both parties accept the agreement is over, but each blames the other.
| Issue | Medier’s claim | Tyson’s response |
| Why it collapsed | Lawyer Ali Reza Sinai says Tyson lost focus after the Netflix payday | Medier demanded tasks the deal never covered |
| Scope of work | Livestream appearances were part of the deal | His job was limited to gaming sessions on Rabona |
| Promo material | Linked sites sent fans to a page Tyson signed off on | Medier pushed promos he hadn’t cleared and couldn’t geo-block streams |
| Money | Seeks repayment plus the cost of a scrapped production | Insists Tyrannic had the right to walk away |
Why the Jake Paul Fight Matters
Medier’s side of the Mike Tyson lawsuit rests on timing. Promoters had booked the Paul bout for July 20, 2024, the day after iGB Live closed.
In particular, Medier argues Tyson worried a gambling stream would clash with Netflix’s sponsor limits. However, Spicer testified that Netflix had nothing to do with dropping the stream.
Then Tyson’s ulcer flared up, and the bout moved to November 15, when Paul won on all three scorecards.
What US Players Can Learn From the Mike Tyson Lawsuit
Beyond the courtroom, the Mike Tyson lawsuit reveals how celebrity casino partnerships operate. Rabona’s launch pitched Tyson-linked bonuses and monthly Twitch and Kick streams.
Yet Rabona answers to Curaçao regulators, not any US state. Tyson’s legal team even claimed Medier aimed US press releases at a market where it can’t take bets.
Many offshore casinos for US players use the same license type, so a famous face reveals nothing about oversight.
Also, a celebrity offer still has bonus terms. For example, a $100 bonus at 30x wagering requirements means $3,000 in bets before you cash out.
Before you sign up, check the license, bonus terms, and payouts. Our guide on how to spot bad online casinos covers each warning sign.
US lawmakers also watch these deals closely, as the push over FanDuel’s celebrity videos for VIP bettors shows. Rules differ by state, so check US gambling laws by state before you play.
What Happens Next in the Mike Tyson Lawsuit
The High Court was still hearing the case on October 14, 2026. Next, Mr. Justice Richards must rule on whether Tyrannic quit lawfully or owes Medier money.
Celebrity casino cases don’t always reach a full trial, as rapper Offset’s casino lawsuit shows. CasinoUS will update this guide once the court rules.
No celebrity endorsement changes the odds, so set a deposit limit first using responsible gambling tools.
