A federal court judge has ordered an important hearing next month in antitrust litigation against the UFC, in which he will hear arguments on whether to dismiss the case or certify the class of former UFC athletes.
Nevada federal court Judge Richard F. Boulware II has scheduled a hearing in Las Vegas on Dec. 14 on the two issues.
The plaintiffs, who are represented by the law firm of Berger Montague, are seeking to represent hundreds of fighters who fought for or whose identities were used by the UFC during the period between Dec. 16, 2010, and June 30, 2017.
Cung Le leads a group of former UFC fighters who have filed the antitrust lawsuit against the mixed martial arts organization.getty images
They are asking Boulware to certify a “Bout Class” consisting of athletes who fought once or more during that time period and an “Identity Class” of fighters whose names or likenesses were used in merchandise or promotional materials during that period.
The UFC, meanwhile, which is represented by the firm of Boies Schiller Flexner, is asking for summary judgment, dismissing the case, arguing in court papers that the fighters have not produced evidence that the UFC has engaged in the anti-competitive behavior they allege after two years of discovery.
A group of former UFC fighters, led by Cung Le, first filed the lawsuit against the UFC’s parent entity, Zuffa Inc., in December 2014.
■ CAA SPORTS FILES TO VACATE DOGRA AWARD: CAA Sports filed a lawsuit in federal court in St. Louis under seal earlier this month, seeking to vacate an award in its arbitration case involving NFL agent Ben Dogra, a former employee.
CAA Sports fired Dogra, who had been co-head of CAA Football, in November 2014. The agent had filed an arbitration case over it, but the outcome of that case has been secret as the proceeding was confidential. On Nov. 5, CAA Sports filed suit, seeking to vacate “the Fourth Supplemental Opinion and Award” of that arbitration, according to a document in the case that was not under seal.
Guy Brenner, partner with Proskauer, which is representing CAA Sports, declined to comment.
“Ben Dogra is not surprised that CAA would seek to vacate the arbitrator’s fourth supplemental opinion and award,” said John Comerford, a partner with the law firm Dowd Bennett, and Dogra’s attorney. “He looks forward to confirming the arbitrator’s opinions and awards and enforcing them against CAA.”
Kyle Petty
■ CSE TALENT SIGNS PETTY: CSE Talent has signed former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports broadcaster Kyle Petty for representation in all areas, including broadcasting, speaking and marketing.
Agent Mark Carmony will represent him for broadcasting and CSE head of marketing Dave Riggs will handle his marketing representation. He was formerly represented by The Montag Group for broadcasting.
Petty, the son of NASCAR legend Richard Petty and an eight-time winner on NASCAR’s top series, retired from racing following the 2008 season.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
