• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 23, 2025
Law

Fans Sue NFL for Not Letting Teams Use Bluesky

Two fans say the league is engaging in anticompetitive behavior by not letting teams create Bluesky accounts and forcing them to use its partner, X/Twitter.

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; A general view as Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) prepares to take the snap against the Chicago Bears on the NFL shield logo during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A pair of Bluesky users filed a lawsuit against the NFL for not letting its teams create individual accounts on the platform due to its partnership with X/Twitter.

Patrick Brown and Collin Vincent filed a 14-page complaint Tuesday in the Southern District of New York claiming antitrust violations and alleging the NFL is unlawfully restricting its teams and fans from engaging on the new platform. The suit says Brown wants to follow the Bears on Bluesky and Vincent wants to follow the Seahawks.

The lawsuit claims the league’s “refusal to deal with Bluesky” was “pursuant to an agreement between [the NFL], the 32 competitor teams and X.” The filing says the anticompetitive behavior harms both the teams and fans. It says individually owned and operated teams and their fans should be able to choose their own social media platforms and not be restricted to X when another option exists.

“Where the teams meet their fans on social media is between the teams and the fans,” an attorney for the plaintiffs, Thomas Burt, tells Front Office Sports. “The NFL does not have the legal right to inject themselves into that decision.”

In January, the vice president of content at the Patriots’ umbrella company Kraft Sports & Entertainment, Fred Kirsch, said the team is “not allowed to” have a Bluesky account. “We had an account briefly on Bluesky, but the league asked us to take it down because it’s not an approved social media platform for the NFL yet,” Kirsch said. “Whenever the league gives us the green light, we’ll get back on Bluesky.”

The lawsuit cites “published reports” that say the NFL’s decision is “a financial matter.” On Jan. 30, Sports Business Journal reported the NFL wants a paid partnership with Bluesky if its teams are going to be on the platform rather than allowing them to use it without any kickback from the app.

The filing says the NFL announced on Feb. 3 that its teams could not use Bluesky, but no such official announcement by the league was made or reported on that date or otherwise. The league also didn’t make an announcement when it renewed its partnership with X in April 2024. Following that agreement, X launched its NFL Portal in November, a dedicated algorithm for the league with standings, stats, schedules, and a custom NFL-focused feed.

The fans are not seeking money damages but instead an injunction and attorney fees. “The injunction would deprive the NFL of nothing, except the centralized power that it has unlawfully claimed and has no right to,” the suit says.

Representatives for the league, Bluesky, and X did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sports are still finding their way onto Bluesky. Some leagues like the NWSL and PWHL have accounts, but teams have been slower to join.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Thunder Win NBA Finals Behind Young, Deep, and Cheap Roster

The Thunder’s young and cheap roster won its first title Sunday.

Pacers Lose Haliburton in NBA Finals—and Possibly for a Season

Haliburton entered the game with a right calf strain he played Game 6 with.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
exclusive

Chip Caray Will Not be Suspended for Accidental Homophobic Slur: Sources

The verbal stumble was followed by over 30 seconds of silence.

Featured Today

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

Jordan’s racing team filed a co-suit in October alleging antitrust practices.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome.
June 17, 2025

Former Chiefs Employee Sues for Racial Discrimination

Ramzee Robinson says the Chiefs paid Black employees less than white ones.
Ippei Mizuhara
June 17, 2025

Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Reports to Prison After Delays

Mizuhara’s 57-month sentence was supposed to begin in March.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
The BetMGM Sportsbook opened for business during the season opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals on the Great Lawn outside of State Farm Stadium.
June 17, 2025

18th-Century Law Fuels Legal Blitz on Sports Prediction Markets

Five new lawsuits accuse Kalshi, others of offering illegal sports betting.
Tennessee wide receiver Grant Frerking (0) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.
June 13, 2025

Ex-Tennessee Football Player, On3 Staffer Accused of Financial Scams

Grant Frerking parted ways with On3 amid “allegations of criminal misconduct.”
Antonio Brown
June 13, 2025

Antonio Brown Wanted for Attempted Murder After Shooting at Celebrity Boxing Event

Police said he fought and tried to shoot another man last month.
DraftKings
June 13, 2025

PrizePicks Sues Former Employee for Jumping to DraftKings

PrizePicks alleges its former social media director violated a noncompete.