MLB Union Sues Four U.S. Sportsbooks


MLB Players Inc (MLBPI)—the labour union representing Major League Baseball players in the U.S.—has filed lawsuits against DraftKings, bet365, FanDuel, and Underdog Fantasy for unauthorised use of MLB players’ names and images across their betting platforms and social media.

The MLBPI filed two lawsuits this week. The first, naming DraftKings and bet365, was filed with the US District Court for Pennsylvania. And the second, naming FanDuel and Underdog, was filed with New York’s Supreme Court.

Both cases allege the same misconduct—using player images, names and likenesses for promotional purposes without a license—which the MLBPI described as “outrageous, malicious, and in wilful violation of MLBPI’s rights”.

According to the DraftKings-bet365 filing, the “defendants’ use of player images within their sportsbook platforms is not merely informational—it is promotional.”

The case asserts, “This usage of player images on the platform and the use of player names and images in advertisements for the platform is intended to capitalise on those players’ celebrity and/or notoriety and use it to promote and drive business […] despite the fact that MLBPI has not granted Defendants a license.”

The MLBPI states that parties using more than three MLB player images in a calendar year must obtain a licence, of which the defendants were aware yet still “knowingly” proceeded.

The Union seeks an injunction to prevent the defendants from using MLB images, readdress for damages caused—the amount to be determined at trial—and “an accounting and disgorgement of all profits associated with the use of MLB player images and likenesses”, which is likely to amount to a hefty sum.

All the named defendants are yet to comment.

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