Good morning! Seven years and four months after the case was first filed, the jury trial in the NASL’s antitrust lawsuit against U.S. Soccer (to which MLS was later added) opened yesterday in federal district court in Brooklyn. There have been many other soccer antitrust cases through the years–NASL v. NFL, Fraser v. MLS, Relevent Sports v. USSF, to name three–but none quite as expensive as NASL v. USSF. Court records list 45 attorneys as representing interested parties: 20 for the NASL, 12 for U.S. Soccer, 11 for MLS, one for Aaron Davidson and one for the USL. Jeffrey Kessler has been a plaintiff’s attorney in every case, going back to NASL v. NFL in 1978, a year out of Columbia Law School. The NASL prevailed, on appeal, in the landmark case striking down the NFL’s cross-ownership ban, but by then it was dying. As the district court judge wrote, “The melancholy fact is that the NASL’s recent history has been one of league-wide and substantial losses.”
SUBSCRIBE TO KEEP READING
Start for $0 & enjoy free unlimited access for 30 days.
- Daily TV listings for U.S. and global soccer.
- Inside access to USA’s 2026 World Cup prep.
- Exclusive interviews with players and coaches.
- Expert analysis of top soccer headlines.
- Cancel anytime.
Already have an account? Sign in here.
CHECK OUT MORE STORIES
Not ready to subscribe? Sign up here for our free newsletter.
Already have an account? Sign in here.