Judge Denies Vikings’ Request for Preliminary Injunction in Advertising Suit

On January 28, 2016, U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank denied the Minnesota Vikings’ request for a preliminary injunction to prevent Wells Fargo from building two large illuminated signs near the teams future new home — U.S. Bank Stadium.

Last month, Minnesota Vikings Football Stadium, LLC (MVFS) — a team affiliate responsible for the construction and promotion of U.S. Bank Stadium — filed suit against Wells Fargo over two illuminated rooftop signs which the company alleges are in violation of a 2014 signage agreement between …

February 2, 2016 NFL

Chargers to Remain in San Diego for 2016 Season

On Friday, January 29, 2016, the San Diego Chargers made two important announcements: (1) the franchise reached an agreement in principle with the now “Los Angeles Rams” to share the Inglewood stadium project, creating a route for a Los Angeles move; and (2) the franchise will be staying in San Diego for the 2016, committing to a possible solution for a stadium that keeps the team in San Diego long-term.

Last year, Rams owner Stan Kroenke purchased a 60-acre tract of land in …

January 30, 2016 NFL

Fan Seeks Rehearing in NFL Super Bowl Ticket Suit

On Thursday, January 28, 2016, NFL fan Josh Finkelman filed a petition for a rehearing in the Third Circuit, asking that the court reconsider its decision to dismiss his proposed class action suit against the NFL for allegedly violating New Jersey state law by not releasing an adequate number of Super Bowl XLVIII tickets to the general public.

The proposed class action alleged that the NFL was in violation of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act by releasing only one percent of Super Bowl XLVIII tickets …

January 21, 2016 Litigation / NFL

Fans Lack Standing in Super Bowl Ticket Suit Against NFL

On January 14, 2016, the Third Circuit held that two New Jersey football fans lacked standing to bring a class action suit against the NFL alleging that the league violated state law by withholding public access to an excessive amount of Super Bowl XLVIII tickets.

The suit alleged that the NFL was in violation of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act by releasing only one percent of Super Bowl XLVIII tickets to be sold to the general public, causing ticket prices to be unreasonably high. One …

January 19, 2016 Litigation / NFL

Upset Rams Fans Sue Team Over Move to LA

Just one day after the NFL met and approved the relocation of the St. Louis Rams to Inglewood, California, four fans brought a proposed class action against Rams owner, Stan Kroenke, and Rams Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Demoff, alleging that the two made misleading statements that caused fans to continue to spend money on team apparel and tickets believing that the team was staying in St. Louis.

On January 12, 2015, NFL owners met in Houston and approved a plan to move the St. Louis …

January 17, 2016 Litigation / NFL

NJ Judge Sustains Fraud Claims Against Eli Manning in Memorabilia Case

On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, Judge James DeLuca sustained racketeering and fraud claims against NFL quarterback Eli Manning and New York Giants’ equipment manager Joseph Skiba in relation to the 2014 action brought by Eric Inselberg, alleging that Manning and the New York Giants were distributing fake sports memorabilia. While Judge DeLuca sustained the racketeering and fraud claims, he dismissed several other claims alleged by Inselberg.

Eric Inselberg, a memorabilia dealer, brought suit in January of 2014, accusing the New York Giants of engaging in …

January 14, 2016 NFL

Raiders Left Without Permanent Home Following NFL Relocation Decision

On January 12, 2016, NFL owners met in Houston and approved a plan to move the St. Louis Rams to Inglewood, California — a city just a few miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The owners also granted the San Diego Charges an option to join the Rams in Inglewood, provided that the team exercise the option by January 2017. The league noted that if the Charges fail to exercise the option, then the Oakland Raiders will have the option to make the move to …

January 14, 2016 NFL

Rams Move to Los Angeles Approved; Are Chargers Next?

On January 12, 2016, owners of the 32 NFL teams met and approved a plan that moves the St. Louis Rams out of St. Louis and to Inglewood, California. Also, during this meeting, the San Diego Chargers were granted a “stadium-sharing deal” to join the Rams in Inglewood—a city just a few miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

Both the St. Louis Rams and the San Diego Chargers have been persistently working to find stadium alternatives in order to keep their franchises but have come …

January 13, 2016 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / Litigation / NFL

It May Be “Lights Out” For Merriman’s Lawsuit Against Nike

On Friday, January 8, 2016, Nike, Inc. filed a motion for summary judgment, seeking to put to end to former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman’s trademark infringement lawsuit.

Merriman filed the suit in April 2014, alleging that he is known as “Lights Out,” and that Nike has infringed on his trademark by selling their “lights out” product line because customers will mistakenly believe Merriman has endorsed it. Merriman stated: “After I was given the nickname “Lights Out” in high school, I decided to create a …

January 9, 2016 Litigation / NFL

Parents of Youth Soccer League in San Francisco Sue Over Upcoming Super Bowl Media Frenzy

In leading up to Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, the football world will descend upon the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi Stadium. In particular, the media will descend upon the Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park, which is directly adjacent to the stadium and boasts world-class grass conditions.

The media plans to form a “media village” on the youth league’s three fields, and alterations are already underway as of this past Monday, January 4. Soccer moms and dads are not happy, and parents and coaches …