DraftKings faces prolonged legal battle over MLB player likenesses
DraftKings has suffered a legal setback in its dispute with Major League Baseball Players Inc. (MLBPA) over the use of player names and likenesses. A US district judge rejected the company's bid to speed up the case, meaning the lawsuit will now drag on for months or even years.
The ruling marks a procedural victory for the MLBPA, which accuses DraftKings of misusing player identities in ads and promotions without permission. Judge Karen Marston denied DraftKings' request for an accelerated appellate review, dismissing all four legal arguments the company put forward. The court also rejected DraftKings' claim that its use of player images qualified as protected news reporting.
The case will now follow standard legal steps, including discovery, depositions, and likely a trial. A final decision remains far off due to the complex legal landscape surrounding player likenesses. DraftKings already faces multiple lawsuits, adding to its legal challenges.
This ruling aligns with a previous decision in a similar case, where Judge Marston ordered FanDuel to pay licensing fees to the MLBPA for using player images. That verdict set a precedent, requiring sports betting and fantasy platforms to compensate player associations for commercial use of their members' identities. The lawsuit will proceed unless DraftKings and the MLBPA reach a settlement. Without a quick resolution, the company faces an extended legal battle with no guaranteed outcome. The MLBPA has called the decision a key step in preventing unauthorised commercial use of player identities.
