Seventh-Inning Stretch · The Paper Chase
Subpoenas for Contraction
Major League Baseball v. Crist (2003)
Charge: State antitrust investigation - attorney general's demands for documents and testimony about a plan to eliminate two clubs (challenged investigation of the league and commissioner)Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitDocket: The Paper Chase
Can a state attorney general investigate a big-league plan to eliminate teams under state antitrust law?
The facts
In November 2001 big-league owners voted to eliminate two clubs, and both Florida teams were seen as likely targets. Florida's attorney general, opposed to losing the teams, served civil investigative demands on the league, its commissioner and both Florida clubs under the state antitrust law, seeking documents and testimony about the plan. Baseball went to federal court to block the demands. It argued that the long-standing federal antitrust exemption for the business of baseball covered decisions about how many teams exist, so there was nothing lawful for the state to investigate.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: Major League Baseball v. Crist, 331 F.3d 1177 (11th Cir. 2003)
Read more at media.ca11.uscourts.gov. The source reveals the outcome.