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Senne v. Kansas City Royals Baseball Corp. (2019)
Charge: Minimum wage and overtime (FLSA and state wage laws) - minor leaguers unpaid for spring training and off-season work (suit against Major League Baseball and its clubs)Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (class ruling); U.S. District Court, N.D. California (settlement approval)Docket: The Front Office
Could minor-league players sue together as a class for unpaid wages for spring training, instructional leagues and long in-season hours?
The facts
Minor-league players were paid modest salaries only during the championship season. They received no salary for spring training, instructional leagues or winter workouts, though attendance was expected. The players sued the league office and many clubs under federal and state wage laws and asked to proceed as a class. The trial court certified some groups but refused others, saying players' schedules varied too much. Both sides appealed.
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: Senne v. Kansas City Royals Baseball Corp., 934 F.3d 918 (9th Cir. 2019)
Read more at beyondtheboxscore.com. The source reveals the outcome.