Rabona owner Medier Ltd sues Mike Tyson and wife for $2m over missed iGB Live 2024 appearance

Medier Ltd, the company behind the Rabona online gaming brand, is reportedly suing boxer Mike Tyson and his wife, Lakiha Spicer, for $2 million in London's High Court. The Daily Mail reported the case, citing documents seen by its journalists.

According to the claim, the couple breached a contract under which Tyson was to appear at the iGB Live 2024 gambling conference, held in Amsterdam between July 16 and 19. Medier says the appearance was meant to be a promotional event for the company ahead of Tyson's bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. That fight was originally scheduled for July 20 and was later moved to November 15, 2024.

Medier alleges that Tyson backed out of his obligations after accepting a rival $15 million offer from Netflix. The company says Tyson feared that attending the Amsterdam event could put him in breach of his obligations to the streaming service. The planned appearance was to include a conversation with four presenters, one of them dressed as a pigeon, childhood stories, a demonstration of boxing techniques on a mannequin designed to resemble Evander Holyfield, and play on Rabona's casino websites.

Tyson and Spicer reportedly dispute that they breached the agreement. They argue that Medier's reading of the contract goes well beyond what was originally signed, and that Tyson's only obligation was to play games on Rabona.

Medier rejects that position. Its lawyer argues that the couple chose to walk away because the Netflix partnership offered better value, and that this does not release them from the earlier contract. The fee was payable in instalments, and Tyson is reported to have received $190,000 so far. Medier is now seeking full reimbursement.

The case highlights the contractual risks around celebrity endorsements and event appearances in the iGaming sector, where operators often tie high-profile personalities to conference activity and brand campaigns.