Full Breakdown
Ryne Sandberg Heirs Sue Widow Over Trust Dispute
6/5/2026, 1:56:45 AM
Core Event: Lawsuit Over Name, Image and Likeness Trust
Children of Hall of Fame shortstop Ryne Sandberg filed a civil suit in Lake County Circuit Court alleging that his widow, Margaret Sandberg, is attempting to alter the trust that controls his name, image and likeness (NIL) rights. The suit, filed in April, claims Margaret is refusing to establish the trust as outlined in Sandberg’s written instructions and is instead seeking to add her son and the family’s financial adviser as co-trustees.
Background: Sandberg’s Legacy and Trust Intentions
Ryne “Ryno” Sandberg, a nine-time Gold Glove and seven-time Silver Slugger winner, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 and is best known for the “Sandberg Game” on June 23, 1984. After a managerial career, he died in July 2025 at age 65 from metastatic prostate cancer. He disclosed his diagnosis the year prior, entered remission, then experienced a relapse. In 1995 he married Margaret Koehnemann after divorcing his first wife, Cindy.
According to the lawsuit, Sandberg left “clear instructions” that Margaret, and his biological children Justin and Lindsey, would serve as equal co-trustees of a NIL trust. The trust document reportedly states:
> “It would disappoint me if they were unable to make decisions on my (name, image and likeness) in a positive and collaborative manner.”
and emphasizes that any project must “reflect positively on my legacy and my entire family.”
Key Figures & Groups
- Ryne Sandberg – deceased Hall of Fame player, trust creator.
- Margaret Sandberg – second wife, alleged to be altering the trust.
- Justin Sandberg – son, co-plaintiff.
- Lindsey Sandberg – daughter, co-plaintiff.
- Family financial adviser – named in the contested amendment.
- Norm Finkel and Adam Hirsch – attorneys representing the siblings.
Legal Claims and Evidence
The plaintiffs contend that Margaret ignored the siblings, refused to sign paperwork to open a separate bank account for the trust, and declined to establish the trust itself, thereby contravening Sandberg’s wishes. They present a short, signed note dated July 16, 2025, allegedly written by Sandberg, which lists five names for a new trustee committee, bears the headings “N.I.L” and “majority rules,” and adds the stepson and adviser as trustees.
The suit argues the note is unenforceable because it was not delivered to the siblings before Sandberg’s death, as required by the trust. Additionally, the siblings assert that Sandberg lacked the capacity to amend the trust due to “significant pain,” heavy sedation, and short-term memory lapses in his final weeks. They cite his admission to hospice on July 20 and a reported incident where a daughter heard him screaming in pain from his driveway on the same day the note was purportedly written.
Official Statements & Responses
Attorneys for the siblings, Norm Finkel and Adam Hirsch, declined comment when approached. Margaret Sandberg could not be reached for comment. The court has scheduled a hearing for July 31 to consider the plaintiffs’ request that the note be declared invalid and that the widow be compelled to create the trust as originally intended.
Criticism & Opposition
The siblings criticize Margaret’s actions as a “direct contravention of Ryne’s wishes,” alleging that her attempts to shift control would dismantle the collaborative arrangement Sandberg designed for his family. They argue the amendment would “destroy” the intended equal co-trusteeship and jeopardize the legacy they believe Sandberg intended to protect.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Validity of the July 16 note – Plaintiffs claim it is not legally enforceable; Margaret’s side has not provided a counter-argument.
- Capacity of Sandberg – The suit cites medical sedation and pain, while no medical records are presented to confirm incapacity.
- Absence of direct response – Neither Margaret nor her legal representation has publicly addressed the allegations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It would disappoint me if they were unable to make decisions on my (name, image and likeness) in a positive and collaborative manner,” — Ryne Sandberg, trust document
- “N.I.L” — Heading on the alleged amendment note
- “majority rules” — Phrase at the bottom of the alleged amendment note
- “L” at the top and “majority rules” at the bottom with a list of the five names on the new committee.” — Description from the lawsuit
What’s Next
The Lake County Circuit Court will hear arguments on July 31. The judge will decide whether to invalidate the July 16 note and order the establishment of the trust according to Sandberg’s original instructions. The outcome will determine control over the former player’s NIL assets and could set a precedent for post-mortem management of celebrity estates.
