If you’re reading this travel blog, or probably any travel blog, chances are you’re not the type of person to stay at a Motel 6. That being said, you may be, as we are, a fan of their radio advertisements that are narrated by Tom Bodett. You know the ones we mean – they have some down-home Americana-type music, and a little hokey comedy, and they all feature the slogan “I’m Tom Bodett for Motel 6 and we’ll leave the light on for ya.”
Motel 6 has been around since 1962 and they’ve never tried to be anything more than they are – a cheap and (hopefully, but not always) clean place to stay the night. Well, except for this Motel 6…they’re not cheap! Anyway, Bodett’s has been doing their iconic commercials since 1986 (and apparently he ad-libbed his first one).
Who Is Tom Bodett and Why Does He Matter to Motel 6?
Unfortunately, there’s trouble in paradise, as Bodett is now suing Motel 6.
Earlier this month, Bodett filed a complaint in a Manhattan federal court, saying that the hotel chain’s new owners, Oyo (they bought the chain from Blackstone for $525 million late last year), didn’t pay his annual payment that was due on January 7th, as per his contract with the chain. Yet, despite this, the chain continued to use his name and voice on its national reservation phone line, which violates his rights under the contract and federal trademark law.
According to NPR, Bodett said he attempted to negotiate a confidential settlement that would recognize his role in building Motel 6, not hurt its image or franchisees, and provide “graceful closure,” but the chain responded only with “misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics.”
What Bodett Wants
Bodett seeks to recover $1.2 million, plus additional unspecified damages, and a share of profits, from the hotel chain. The case is Bodett et al v G6 Hospitality LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-04854.
Regardless of how the suit ends (I’m on his side), Bodett has had quite the interesting life, and I’m sure he’ll do fine.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
What do you {REDACTED}?
Comment redacted by YMMV to remove portions that were against YMMV’s requirements for approval.
In this case, pretty much all of it. Whomp whomp. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯