By Ben Fractenberg
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Jay-Z is suing Red Sox slugger David Ortiz for opening a knock-off version of the famous rapper and Yankee fan's 40/40 Club in the Dominican Republic.
The hip hop mogul and his business partner filed a $5 million suit in Manhattan Federal Court on Thursday, claiming Ortiz knowingly named his establishment after Jay-Z’s Flatiron District hotspot in the hopes of cashing in on the brand, the New York Post reported.
"David Ortiz is fully aware of Plaintiff's Manhattan 40/40 club, since he had been a patron there on several occasions before he opened his Infringing Forty/Forty club," the lawsuit claims.
The suit included photos of the Sox designated hitter, also known as Big Papi, at the West 25th Street club.
Ortiz "was at the club at least twice, and certainly knew of it," Jay-Z's lawyer Peter Raymond told the Daily News.
The suit also claims that a Web site for Ortiz's club rips off the one for Jay-Z's hotspot.
Ortiz's agent declined to comment to the Post.
In addition to the Flatiron District, there are 40/40 clubs in Tokyo, Atlantic City and other cities.
The term 40/40 refers to baseball players who have hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases in one season.
Only four players have accomplished the feat: Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano.
