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Sports

Susman Godfrey’s lawyers are called upon to handle the most high-profile and challenging sports litigation in the country. From breach of contract, to partnership disputes, to team sale disagreements, to salary issues – we seamlessly get involved, get to the root of the issue, and work tirelessly towards our client’s goal. Be it quiet resolution, a successful settlement or a hard-fought trial, our lawyers strive to understand, align with, and take the steps necessary to ensure a win.

  • In re: National Football League’s Sunday Ticket Antitrust Litigation. Secured a $4.7 billion jury victory finding the NFL conspired and violated antitrust laws through its Sunday Ticket offering. The trial court vacated the $4.7B award on a post-trial motion, while leaving untouched the jury’s determination that the NFL violated antitrust laws. Proceedings in the matter are ongoing.
  • National Hockey League v. Moyes et al. Secured a ruling significantly reducing the potential damages sought by the National Hockey League (NHL)—over $140,000,000—against Jerry Moyes and his family due to their ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes hockey team. Susman Godfrey devised a successful plan to have the case removed from New York state court, where it was originally filed, to New York federal court, to Arizona federal court, and then to an Arizona Bankruptcy court. After successfully moving the case back to Arizona, we successfully moved for summary judgment which eliminated most of the NHL’s claims.
  • Representation of John Bowlen (Denver Broncos). Represented John Bowlen, the former minority owner of the Denver Broncos, relating to issues arising with the sale of the Denver Broncos.  The issues were resolved and the Denver Broncos eventually sold for $4.65 billion.
  • Representation of Dan Snyder (Washington Commanders). Represented Dan Snyder, the former owner of the Washington Commanders, relating to issues involving the sale of the Washington Commanders.  The Washington Commanders eventually sold for $6.05 billion.
  • Litigation on Behalf of the Houston Rockets. Lead Counsel to the Houston Rockets in a breach of contract case pending in Harris County district court.  The Rockets obtained a judgment against defendant ROKIT and is now pursuing collections against the judgment debtor in California bankruptcy court.
  • Arbitration on Behalf of Excel Sports Management. Represented Excel Sports Management after two of their agents departed to lead a competing agency.  The case was initially filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York and then was moved to a confidential arbitration.
  • Confidential Litigation re: the NBA. Assisted an NBA player with issues surrounding a loan and defaulted debt.
  • AD Gym LLC, et al. v. Rives Enterprises, et al. Served as lead counsel for Trenton Williams, Washington Redskins player and first round 2010 NFL draft pick (#4 pick overall) in a dispute related to an investment Williams made in Houston gym. SG secured a TRO to prevent other owners in the gym from exercising control and a favorable settlement.
  • Litigation on Behalf of Team Fuerza. Won an injunction for client, Team Fuerza, a local Hispanic soccer team, which was being railroaded out of the giant United Premier Soccer League.  SG got the team back in the league and received an apology from the UPSL President.
  • Litigation on Behalf of the USPTA. Won a mid-trial directed verdict for the US Professional Tennis Association in a lawsuit contesting the selection of the 2011-13 President. SG was hired after a Texas state court had entered a TRO against the USPTA. After a bench trial, the court ruled in favor of the USPTA on all issues and the lawsuit was dismissed.
  • FSG Services LLC v. Flutter Entertainment PLC. Secured a favorable award for Flutter Entertainment when an arbitrator in New York nearly doubled the exercise price its opponent, FOX Corporation, sought for its option to acquire 18.6% of Flutter’s portfolio company, FanDuel Group. This high stakes, high profile arbitration resulted from FOX’s assertion that it should be entitled to the same price Flutter paid for its share of FanDuel two years before the arbitration took place – $2.1 billion, with an implied company valuation of $11.2 billion. The arbitrator, however, found that FOX’s payment must be based on a substantially higher FanDuel valuation of $20 billion it was hoping for, plus an additional 5% interest per year. At the time of the decision, this equated to a valuation for FanDuel of $22 billion and an option exercise price of $4.1 billion for FOX — nearly twice the amount that FOX argued it should be required to pay. The arbitrator also rejected FOX’s claim that Flutter had not provided commercially reasonable resources to the Fox Bet business. Read more.
  • McCourt v. McCourt. Represented Los Angeles Dodgers’ owner, Frank McCourt and the Los Angeles Dodgers in divorce and bankruptcy proceeding that involved a dispute over ownership and control of the team. The case resulted in a favorable settlement of the divorce, sale of the Dodgers to Guggenheim Partners for $2.15 billion—the highest amount paid for a professional sports franchise—and the formation of a new joint venture with Guggenheim Partners affiliates.
  • White v. NCAA. Represented a class of student athletes as co-lead counsel in landmark antitrust litigation against the NCAA. The White case was the first to challenge to NCAA rules limiting athletic scholarships to amounts that did not cover the full cost of attendance at member schools. After winning key pre-trial rulings, Susman Godfrey secured a settlement that resulted in more than $200 million in benefits to the class and paved the way for subsequent reforms enabling athletes to receive scholarships covering the full cost of attending school.