from www.chicagotribune.com – The NFL is investigating whether a pornography-industry advertisement illegally used images of NFL players, including Chicago Bears safety Major Wright, to promote an event in Miami last month.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told WLS-Ch. 7 that the league was exploring the matter and publicity for the Exxxotica Expo 2011. The advertisement featured photos of Wright in a Bears uniform, and four other NFL players. The ad stated the player were co-hosts for the event. Also named as a co-host was former Illinois star Corey Liuget, a first-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers.

“The NFL office works on behalf of the clubs to protect their intellectual property rights in matters such as this,” McCarthy told Ch. 7. “Our legal team is reviewing the ad. In general, companies not affiliated with the NFL or its clubs may not depict a player in his uniform.”

The other players pictured are Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs Brandon Flowers and Eric Berry, Houston Texans defensive back Kareem Jackson and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford. Wright is from the Miami area and has been spending much of the offseason there.

While there is nothing wrong with players being affiliated with events like this, it’s a potential trademark violation for another company to create material depicting the players in their NFL uniforms.

The next Exxxotica Expo will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, beginning July 8. It is a major event in the adult entertainment world, and Wright already has distanced himself from it.

“FYI,” Wright wrote on his Twitter account late Tuesday night. “I have NOTHING to do with the Exotic Expo @ the Rosemont! My pic was used without my permission. No Affiliation at all.”