NHL Moves To Dismiss MSG Lawsuit Concerning Rangers' Web Site

By Eric Fisher, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

The NHL earlier this week moved to dismiss the lawsuit from MSG alleging the league is operating an illegal cartel and violating antitrust provisions by forcing MSG to migrate nyrangers.com to a common league platform. The legal battle, originally started last September, is now slowly moving to the merits of the case itself after MSG's attempt for a preliminary injunction to regain full control of the Rangers' Web site failed in March. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said, "We felt the facts and the law formed sufficient grounds upon which to seek dismissal." MSG, in a statement, said they were fully anticipating the league's motion. "We remain confident in the merits of our case, which involve fundamental issues over the allocation of control over team rights and the way antitrust laws apply to the National Hockey League. We are fully committed to pursuing this case through its proper resolution." If the league's motion is denied, discovery on the case is scheduled to extend into early next year.