Ryne Sandberg, celebrated for his baseball prowess and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, has become the focus of a legal battle following his death last July at age 65 due to metastatic prostate cancer. His children, Justin and Lindsey Sandberg, have filed a lawsuit against his widow, Margaret Sandberg, alleging mishandling of his trust.
The lawsuit, filed in April in Lake County Circuit Court, claims Margaret Sandberg attempted to shift control of the trust managing Sandberg’s name, image, and likeness rights. The trust’s intended structure was supposed to equally involve Margaret and Sandberg’s biological children. This attempt to alter control could disrupt the “collaborative arrangement” that Sandberg had hoped for, according to the suit.
Ryne Sandberg, fondly nicknamed “Ryno,” left clear instructions about the management of his likeness rights before his passing. His trust stipulated that Margaret, Justin, and Lindsey would act as equal co-trustees. The legal document highlights Sandberg’s desire for collaboration to positively reflect on his legacy and entire family.
However, the lawsuit accuses Margaret Sandberg of ignoring these instructions and refusing to establish the trust, which included opening a new bank account. She purportedly presented a note, allegedly written by Sandberg shortly before his death, amending the trust to add her stepson and a financial advisor as trustees. This note was reportedly crafted less than two weeks before Sandberg’s passing, raising questions about its legitimacy.
The lawsuit contests the validity of the note, arguing it lacks legal enforceability. It asserts that Sandberg didn’t have the capacity to undertake such changes due to medical issues, as he was heavily sedated and in pain. Despite visiting Ryne Sandberg in his final days, Justin and Lindsey Sandberg reported his deteriorating physical and mental state, including significant memory lapses.
Ultimately, the siblings seek a court declaration that the alleged amendment is void, demanding Margaret Sandberg establish the trust according to the late baseball star’s wishes. The next court hearing concerning this matter is slated for July 31.