We represented CBS Broadcasting, Inc. and NBCUniversal, Inc. in an antitrust class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The case included 10 named plaintiffs and was filed on behalf of all current and former student athletes who have been part of an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team, formerly known as Division 1, or an NCAA men’s basketball team. Plaintiffs claim that the ban on paying players for the use of their names, images and likenesses is a violation of antitrust, publicity, copyright and trademark laws. In June 2015, Chief Judge Sharp granted our clients’ motion to dismiss the class action. The Sixth Circuit later affirmed Judge Sharp’s dismissal of the case in August 2016. In addition to our clients, the 28 defendants included college athletic conferences, licensing entities and other broadcast networks.
CBS and NBC Successfully Defend Against College Athletes’ Class Action
CBS and NBC Successfully Defend Against College Athletes’ Class Action
We represented CBS Broadcasting, Inc. and NBCUniversal, Inc. in an antitrust class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The case included 10 named plaintiffs and was filed on behalf of all current and former student athletes who have been part of an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team, formerly known as Division 1, or an NCAA men’s basketball team. Plaintiffs claim that the ban on paying players for the use of their names, images and likenesses is a violation of antitrust, publicity, copyright and trademark laws. In June 2015, Chief Judge Sharp granted our clients’ motion to dismiss the class action. The Sixth Circuit later affirmed Judge Sharp’s dismissal of the case in August 2016. In addition to our clients, the 28 defendants included college athletic conferences, licensing entities and other broadcast networks.