In a groundbreaking legal battle between Major League Baseball players and popular gambling sites DraftKings and Bet365, the MLB Players Association has filed a lawsuit alleging that the websites are unlawfully using players’ images and likenesses to promote and profit from sports betting.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court on behalf of the MLB Players Association, takes aim at the sites’ practice of allowing users to place bets on individual statistics and outcomes of games, while using images of current MLB players to entice bettors. The players union argues that this unauthorized use of their likenesses violates players’ rights of publicity and constitutes a form of commercial exploitation.
“DraftKings and Bet365 have been using our players’ images without permission to promote their gambling products, which is clearly not right,” said Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association. “Our players work hard to excel on the field and should not have their images used for someone else’s financial gain without their consent.”
The lawsuit seeks damages for past unauthorized use of players’ images, as well as an injunction to prevent DraftKings and Bet365 from continuing to use players’ likenesses in connection with their gambling operations. The players union also hopes to establish a legal precedent that will protect players’ rights in the rapidly expanding world of sports betting.
“We believe that players should have control over how their images are used, especially when it comes to gambling,” Clark added. “It’s important for us to take a stand against unauthorized commercial exploitation and to ensure that our players’ rights are respected.”
Representatives for DraftKings and Bet365 have not yet publicly commented on the lawsuit. However, legal experts anticipate that the companies will likely argue that their use of players’ images falls under the category of fair use for purposes of news reporting and commentary, as opposed to commercial exploitation.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the sports betting industry, as well as for the rights of athletes across all professional sports leagues. As the intersection of sports and gambling continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how courts will address the complex legal questions raised by the MLB Players Association’s lawsuit against DraftKings and Bet365.
Stay tuned to CBS Sports for updates on this developing legal battle, as both sides prepare to make their case in court and determine the future of sports betting and players’ rights in the digital age.