Tennis antitrust lawsuit survives as US judge rejects all six dismissal bids
A New York federal judge has denied every motion to dismiss the players' antitrust case against the ATP, WTA and three Grand Slams, clearing the way for discovery in one of the biggest legal challenges tennis has faced.
A United States federal judge has rejected every attempt to kill the players’ antitrust lawsuit against professional tennis’s governing bodies, clearing the way for discovery in one of the biggest legal challenges the sport has faced.
Judge Margaret M. Garnett of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied all six motions filed by the ATP, the WTA and the organisers of Wimbledon, Roland-Garros and the US Open in Pospisil et al. v. ATP Tour, Inc., according to the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
In a 66-page opinion issued on Thursday, October 1, Judge Garnett rejected the WTA’s and USTA’s attempts to force players into private arbitration, the ATP’s bid to move the men’s claims to Delaware, and Wimbledon and Roland-Garros organisers’ attempt to avoid the jurisdiction of a U.S. court. She also rejected a motion to remove the PTPA from the case entirely.
The court held that the players’ allegations — that the defendants illegally coordinated to restrict prize money, co-opt players’ commercial rights, wield ranking points as a weapon and impose a draconian calendar — are sufficient for the case to proceed. The PTPA, which seeks structural reform rather than damages, was held to have standing to pursue the claims.
The parties will appear before the court again on October 29. Tennis Australia is no longer a defendant after reaching its own settlement last year. The USTA said it planned to defend itself vigorously.
Sources: PTPA, EssentiallySports
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