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MLBPA Sues Major Sports Betting Operators

Andrew Reid

Last Updated: September 18, 2024 2:50 PM EDT • 1 min 3 sec read.

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor watches from the dugout as we look at the details of the MLBA suing a number of top sports betting operators.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor watches from the dugout. Photo by: Brad Penner/Imagn Images.

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has sued five of the biggest names in sports betting and daily fantasy sports.

The lawsuits concern their use of the names and likenesses of hundreds of players on DraftKings, bet365 (Philadelphia federal court), FanDuel, and Underdog Fantasy (New York state court). 

The lawsuits seek punitive and compensatory damages and accuse the sites of "flagrant" violations of laws across sports betting apps and websites. 

MLBPA comments

The lawsuit claims that the websites began using the players' images in 2024 despite not having the license to do so. 

The lawsuit states that the "Defendants' use of player images within their sportsbook platforms is not merely informational—it is promotional." 

And therein seems to lie the big issue with the use of the players' images. 

“For professional athletes, the ability to control the commercial use of their names, images, and likenesses is a crucial return on their substantial career investment,” according to the MLBPA.

It also argues that people may see the players images as an endorsement of sports betting. 

According to a CBS Sports report, DraftKings and Underdog had not yet commented on the lawsuit, while FanDuel declined to comment.

DraftKings and the NFLPA

It's not just the MLBPA that's levying its muscle against DraftKings; just weeks ago, the NFLPA sued the sports betting giant and DFS website. 

The civil suit, lodged in the Southern District of New York, was for an "anticipatory breach of contract.”

The suit was rumored to surround DraftKings’ decision to close its Non-fungible tokens (NFT) amid legal troubles surrounding the practice.

The union may be looking to recoup some of the $32.4 million owed by OneTeam Partner, a group that facilitated the original deal between DraftKings and the PA. 

Written By:
Andrew Reid
Andrew is a Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review. He graduated from Acadia University with a degree in Kinesiology, working as a personal trainer and in injury rehab, and then attended the College of Sports Media in Toronto to attain a diploma in Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting. Andrew has been involved in the sports betting and fantasy sports space since joining the FNTSY Sports Network in 2014, where he worked as a producer, director, and occasional on-air talent on various shows focusing on sports betting and DFS content. Prior to joining SBR, he spent multiple years with the USA Today Network as an editor and writer. Living in Newfoundland, Andrew frequents grey market sportsbooks, but in the past, when he's lived in regulated areas, he's become well-versed with all of our best sportsbooks. As strictly a casual bettor, he enjoys making touchdown parlays with friends (bro-lays), sweating out golf cut parlays during majors, playing same-game parlays for fun, and chasing long-shot bets. He also enjoys using sportsbooks that have solid iGaming and casino platforms. As the old guy on staff, he has an affinity for industry news, which confuses some, but shh ... quiet ... the news is on.