Judge Rules Against Lawsuit Over Qwest Field Patdowns

Patdowns Will Continue At Qwest Field

U.S. Federal Judge James Robart has ruled against Seahawks season-ticket holders Fred and Kathleen Stark, who sued the team and Qwest Field “over the NFL’s policy of frisking fans before they enter football games,” according to Scott Gutierrez of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER.  The Starks filed the suit -- which named the Seahawks, First & Goal Inc., which operates Qwest Field, and the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, which owns the stadium -- last November, claiming the league-mandated pat downs are unconstitutional since Qwest Field is publicly owned.  Robart wrote in his decision, “The Stadium Authority did not participate in the original decision to conduct pat down searches of ticket holders, nor did it control, profit or directly benefit from the pat down searches conducted by the private entities at Qwest Field. ... The Starks have failed to come forth with sufficient evidence to meet the symbiotic relationship test for demonstrating state action.”  Gutierrez notes a similar case where a season-ticket holder is suing the Buccaneers is still pending (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 7/6).