The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) has settled a lawsuit with sportsbook FanDuel concerning the use of player rights.
The settlement follows a lawsuit filed by the MLBPA in September, accusing several sportsbooks of unlawfully using player photos in their apps and social media promotions to drive baseball betting.
Although many sportsbooks have agreements with MLB, the MLBPA argued that none had secured the union’s permission to use player images.
FanDuel has been voluntarily removed from the lawsuit by the MLBPA, leaving Underdog as the sole defendant in the case. Meanwhile, a separate federal court case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania names DraftKings and bet365 as defendants.
A FanDuel spokesperson confirmed to Reuters on Friday that the company and the MLBPA have entered into a “confidential licencing agreement.” According to court filings, FanDuel has been dismissed from the case with prejudice, meaning the suit can’t be filed again in the future.
The sportsbook now joins Fanatics, which announced a deal with the MLBPA last month, allowing it to use player images on its platform.
Battles between player associations and gambling brands continue in other US sports. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is pursuing a lawsuit against DraftKings, claiming the company wrongfully ended its rights agreement for its cancelled NFT products.
Professional sports in the US are not the only ones navigating the complexities of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights. Earlier this year, the NCAA introduced reforms that allow Division I schools to assist student-athletes with NIL activities.
Approved by the Division I Council, the new rule permits schools to help athletes find NIL opportunities, facilitate deals with third parties and provide guidance on negotiations.
However, student-athletes are not required to accept this assistance and can choose to retain full control over the terms of their NIL agreements, offering them greater autonomy in managing their personal brand. This reform aims to provide more support to athletes while ensuring they maintain agency over their own NIL opportunities.
