• Loading stock data...
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Law

MLB Union Drops NIL Lawsuit Against Pirates, Sheetz

The business arm of the MLBPA sued the Pirates’ parent company and Sheetz over NIL misuse in August.

Skenes
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The business arm of the MLB players’ union has dropped its lawsuit against the parent company of the Pittsburgh Pirates and convenience store chain Sheetz.

In August, MLB Players, Inc. filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh against Sheetz and the Pirates claiming the chain used its jersey patch deal with the team to post images of players on social media far above the limit established in the $100,000-per-year sponsorship agreement. The suit said Sheetz “wrongfully exploited” Pirates players Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Andrew McCutchen, Nick Gonzales, Carmen Mlodzinski, and Connor Joe by overusing their name, image, and likeness without union approval.

“These widely viewed images serve to increase the commercial appeal of Sheetz’s stores and products generally, and to misleadingly suggest a direct endorsement by the players themselves of Sheetz,” read the complaint.

The next day, the two sides reached a verbal agreement, and a Pirates spokesperson told Front Office Sports at the time that the team anticipated the complaint would be withdrawn.

MLB Players, Inc. dropped the lawsuit Dec. 23.

Between the verbal agreement in mid-August and the dismissal in December, the clerk’s office requested a few pieces of information from the players’ association, and the judge issued a routine standing order in November describing the procedure for handling motions. It’s unclear why MLB Players, Inc. took so long to drop the case or how much money it settled for.

Representatives for the MLBPA, Sheetz, and the Pirates did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Draft Round 1 Draws 13.6M Viewers, Second-Highest Ever

With stars staying on the board, viewers tuned in.

Five QBs Drafted As Shedeur Sanders Slips to Fourth Round

Shedeur Sanders is still waiting after slipping out of the first round.

Ohio State’s $20M Roster Sends 7 Players to NFL in First Two..

The NIL-fueled title team had more draftees than all of the Big 12.

Trump Defends Sanders After Snub: ‘What Is Wrong With NFL Owners?’

He said Shedeur Sanders has “phenomenal genes” and asked if owners are “stupid.”

Featured Today

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Jan 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) tries to hold off Boston Bruins center Jakub Lauko (94) during the second period at TD Garden.

Mistrial Declared for Five Ex-NHL Canadians Accused of Sexual Assault

The trial started Tuesday over an alleged 2018 incident in a hotel room.
Kendrick Lamar
April 18, 2025

Drake Lawsuit Says Kendrick Lamar Defamed Him At Super Bowl

Drake says taking out the word “pedophile” didn’t erase the defamation.
Jan 20, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart (79) reacts after allowing a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at Wells Fargo Center
April 22, 2025

Trial Begins for Five Ex-NHL Canadians Accused of Sexual Assault

The players were on Canada’s junior national team during the alleged incident.
Sponsored

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

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
Reilly Opelka
April 12, 2025

Tennis Player Testifies ATP Threatened Him For Supporting Lawsuit

The tour denied the allegation in a Friday court hearing.
NWSL
April 3, 2025

Boston Beats Legal Challenge to $200 Million NWSL Stadium Renovation

Demolition had begun before the case went to trial.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.
April 2, 2025

FanDuel’s PE Backers Fire Back at Founder’s Legal Fight Over 2018 Sale

The legal dispute stems from the 2018 sale of 61% of FanDuel.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
exclusive
March 22, 2025

ESPN Is Accused of Harassment, Retaliation in Legal Letter From Exec Editor

Cristina Daglas has been on administrative leave since January.