Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
NHL class action overview:
- Who: The World Association of Icehockey Players Unions North America Division filed a class action lawsuit against the National Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League and three independent Canadian junior leagues.
- Why: The association claims the leagues conspire to exploit junior hockey players aged 16 to 20 and unnecessarily restrain their ability to move between teams and leagues.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New York.
The National Hockey League (NHL), Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and three independent Canadian junior leagues face an antitrust class action lawsuit claiming the leagues conspire to unnecessarily limit the ability for players aged 16-20 from moving between leagues, resulting in exploitation.
A union does not represent the junior players, but the World Association of Icehockey Players Unions North America Division filed the class action to represent all junior players who played in the three leagues between Feb. 14, 2020, and the judgment date in the NHL class action.
“Such maltreatment includes abuse – economic, physical, psychological and sexual – that is the foreseeable consequence of a system that deprives these players of freedom of choice, freedom of movement and freedom to play for the club of their choice,” the NHL antitrust lawsuit says.
Players seek injunction against exclusive player rights deals, NHL antitrust lawsuit says
The leagues agreed to divide the United States and which leagues can recruit players in each, the NHL antitrust lawsuit claims. The NHL allegedly provides regular payments to the leagues, including when the NHL drafts players.
The leagues conduct an involuntary U.S. player draft, and all three leagues respect player rights from those drafts, the NHL exploitation lawsuit says.
The players seek an injunction against the exclusive player rights deals and permission for players to negotiate with multiple teams in multiple leagues without retaliation.
The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks face a sexual assault lawsuit from an anonymous former player claiming the team hid allegations against a former coach, allowing him to resign with severance pay.
What do you think of the antitrust allegations? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Jeffrey I. Shinder, Ethan E. Litwin and J. Wyatt Fore of Constantine Cannon LLP; Judith A. Zahid, Sarah Van Culin and James R. Martin of Zelle LLP; Stacey Leyton and Michael Rubin of Altshuler Berzon LLP; Gregory S. Asciolla, Robin van der Meulen, Noah L. Cozad and Brian M. Hogan of Dicello Levitt LLP; Steve D. Shadowen and Richard Brunell of Hilliard Shadowen LLP; and Paul Slater, Joseph M. Vanek, Trevor K. Scheetz and Matthew Slater of Sperling and Slater LLP.
The NHL class action lawsuit is World Association of Icehockey Players Unions North America Division, et al. v. National Hockey League, et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-01066, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
