Basketball star Michael Jordan has cried foul against a sportswear chain here, saying it is improperly using the Chinese version of his name.

Qiaodan Sports Co. has profited by illegally using his name on its marketing materials and products since the 1980s, Mr. Jordan said in a prepared statement. Qiaodan is pronouncedapproximately as cheow-DAN in Mandarin.

Mr. Jordan filed suit in China