The Major League Baseball (MLB) player’s union has taken legal action against several major sportsbook operators, including FanDuel and DraftKings, for using the names and likenesses of players in their marketing campaigns without obtaining proper permission. This lawsuit could potentially have significant implications for how operators are able to promote player prop bets in the future if the plaintiffs are successful in their case.
The complaint was filed on Monday in a Manhattan state court and names Underdog Fantasy and FanDuel as defendants. Additionally, a lawsuit filed in a Philadelphia federal court involves Bet365 Group and DraftKings. The players’ union is seeking punitive and compensatory damages for what they claim are “flagrant” violations of the publicity rights of nearly all active players in the MLB. The lawsuits argue that the commercial use of players’ likenesses and names is crucial for professional athletes to receive a return on their investments in their careers.
This legal action mirrors a recent lawsuit by the NFL Players Association against DraftKings for failing to compensate players for the use of their likenesses in the release of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It is worth noting that the same law firm is representing both the MLB and NFL players in these cases.
The issue of using players’ names and likenesses without permission has become a contentious issue in the world of sports betting and fantasy sports. The players’ unions are taking a stand to protect the rights of their members and ensure that they are fairly compensated for the commercial use of their identities.
If the lawsuits are successful, it could set a precedent for how sportsbook operators and fantasy sports companies are able to market their products in the future. It may lead to stricter regulations and requirements for obtaining permission to use players’ names and likenesses in promotional materials.
Overall, this legal battle between the MLB players’ union and major sportsbook operators highlights the growing importance of protecting the rights of athletes in the digital age. It serves as a reminder that players are entitled to control how their identities are used for commercial purposes and should be fairly compensated for any commercial exploitation of their names and likenesses.