According to the Chicago Tribune, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would have halted construction of video boards and outfield advertising signs as part of the Chicago Cub’s $375 Million renovation plan for Wrigley Field. Rooftop operators beyond left field, who sell season tickets to watch the Cubs games from their rooftops, alleged that the Cubs have engaged in a price-fixing scheme in violation of the 20-year revenue sharing agreement between the Cubs and the rooftop businesses. Kendall heard arguments from both sides and found that the rooftop operators had failed to make a showing of irreparable harm necessary to grant the preliminary injunction, noting that the operators had merely shown a “vague possibility” that the construction would harm their bottom lines. Kendall also hinted that she might not be receptive to the rooftop operators antitrust arguments noting that “unfair” or “unethical” behavior alone does not put a party in violation of antitrust laws. The dispute will continue as trial is set to begin on March 23rd.
Jason Fixelle is the Sports Highlight Editor for the Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law and a current second year student at Harvard Law School (Class of 2016).