Take Me Out to the Courthouse · Foul Territory
The Rooftop Blockade
Right Field Rooftops, LLC v. Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC (2017)
Charge: Attempted monopolization and breach of a license agreement - blocking rooftop views of the ballpark (suit against the club)Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitDocket: Foul Territory
Did the club violate antitrust law or its agreement by blocking the rooftop views?
The facts
For years, businesses on the roofs of buildings across the street from a historic ballpark sold tickets for fans to watch games from their rooftops. They had a license deal with the home team, paying it a share of revenue. When the team renovated, it installed a huge video board that blocked some of their views, and it bought up several rooftop buildings. The remaining owners sued, claiming the team was trying to monopolize the market for live views of its games and was breaking their agreement.
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: Right Field Rooftops, LLC v. Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC, 870 F.3d 682 (7th Cir. 2017)
Read more at isba.org. The source reveals the outcome.