Union of Major League Baseball Players Granted Permission to Pursue Legal Action Against DraftKings
Fiery Take on DraftKings' Legal Woes
The MLB Players Association is giving DraftKings some serious heat, accusing the sportsbook operator of swiping the identities of ball players for commercial gain without proper permission.
In the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Judge Karen Marston has given the green light to this scorching lawsuit. Since September, the sports world's been blazing with this ongoing battle. DraftKings took a stand, claiming their use of player headshots and names was covered under free speech and shouldn't violate publicity rights.
But let's not jump to conclusions just yet. The judge believes it's premature to decide if DraftKings’ tactics qualify for a public interest exception, so the case will keep burning through the legal system.
Remember FanDuel, another sportsbook named in this messy dispute? They decided a war of words wasn't worth the battle and settled in November. DraftKings, on the other hand, is throwing down the gloves.
With the case raging on, it remains to be seen if DraftKings will join FanDuel in mercy or if they'll keep fighting the flames. Here are the key points to remember:
- The MLB Players Association's subsidiary, MLB Players Inc., claims DraftKings is using player names, images, and likenesses without their permission.
- In March 2025, Judge Marston declined DraftKings' attempts to dismiss the case, stating their use of players' identities may exceed free speech boundaries.
- FanDuel chose to settle the dispute, but DraftKings insists their ads meld sports reporting and advertising, earning them potential First Amendment protections.
With discovery and trial looming, it's about to get way hotter in the courtroom. Stay tuned as this trainwreck unfolds!
- The ongoing lawsuit against DraftKings, involving the MLB Players Association, alleges that the sportsbook operator has improperly used baseball players' identities for commercial gain.
- The legal battle between DraftKings and the MLB Players Association has been ongoing since September and is currently being heard in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
- Judge Karen Marston has denied DraftKings' attempts to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that their use of players' identities may exceed free speech boundaries.
- While FanDuel, another sportsbook involved in this dispute, chose to settle the case in November, DraftKings has thus far chosen to contest the lawsuit, citing potential First Amendment protections for their advertising practices.
