NHL, MSG To Determine Scope Of Antitrust Case Before Continuing

By Tripp Mickle, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

NHL, MSG Will Exchange Letters Defining Respective Issues In Ongoing Suit

The NHL and MSG have remained at odds over what issues are still open following an October ruling by a U.S. District Court judge in the ongoing new media antitrust lawsuit filed by MSG last year. The disagreement over those issues has held up the discovery process, but both parties have agreed on a mechanism to have the court resolve the remaining disputes and issues in the suit, according to a letter filed by the court on Monday, Nov. 10. The agreement will allow the two parties to determine the scope of the case before beginning the discovery process. Under it, MSG will write a letter to the NHL defining what issues it believes remain open following the judge's October ruling. The NHL will respond with a letter of its own. Both parties will have a chance to reply to each other one more time before the court reviews the letters and rules on what issues remain open. Judge Loretta Preska, who is overseeing the case, approved this agreement on Monday.