MLB Players’ Association Sues Betting Companies

The MLB Players' Association has filed lawsuits against DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, and bet365 for the unauthorized use of players' names, images, and likenesses (NIL) without consent. The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in Philadelphia and Manhattan, allege that these companies used player images and names for promotional purposes, not merely informational ones, to increase consumer appeal and drive bets. The MLBPA is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as an injunction to stop the unauthorized use. This legal action follows a similar suit by the NFL players union against DraftKings over NIL use on NFTs. The MLBPA argues that baseball players are being treated differently from NFL players, whose likenesses are not used in similar ways. Neither the companies involved nor the MLBPA provided additional comments on the matter.