DraftKings’ legal troubles can’t be held back, as the company’s ongoing legal feud with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) continues.
The MLBPA has had another win, with DraftKings’ appeal shutdown, and the case will go to court as normal.
As we’ve previously reported, the MLBPA is fighting DraftKings and other major names in the sportsbook industry over the use of likeness, names, and images without permission.
Filed back in September 2024, the MLBPA claims that companies and apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog Fantasy, and Bet365 are making cash off the back of MLB players without any kickbacks. The union, through its business arm, is now seeking to get punitive damages and compensation for the players it represents.
The argument is that bettors find these apps more attractive and trustworthy as they contain images of the MLB stars themselves.
DraftKings appeal against MLB shutdown
This isn’t the first time that DraftKings has tried to appeal the case. In March, the appeal was shut down by the same judge, US District Judge Karen Marston, who said that the company’s pitch of the app’s use of images equating to news was not going to work.
DraftKings is now in a much different position to rival FanDuel, which had its case dismissed in a New York court. However, the Pennsylvania court that the MLBPA filed at appears to be hanging on for the long haul.
While the case will presumably go on for a long time yet, as the implications of an MLBPA win could rock the foundations of not only for DraftKings, but the entire sportsbook industry.
DraftKings’ legal woes don’t end there, as the company is also dealing with a lawsuit from a rival company. Its micro-betting system, which allows for mid-game bets, is being claimed to be a rip-off of a patented design. Another case in Pennsylvania has five men filing a class action lawsuit over deceptive practices.
