LAWSUIT: FAN V. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Photo by Shockmotion

Miami lawyer Larry McGuinness has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of the 16,000 fans who bought tickets to see the now infamous November 29, 2012 San Antonio Spurs v. Miami Heat game.  You might remember that Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich chose to rest his star players--Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli--and that they didn't play in this game.  Larry's theory is that the Spurs deceived fans by failing to advise the NBA and the fans that its star players were not going to be playing in the game. Larry has alleged that the Spurs violated Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.  To prove his claim, Larry has to prove that the Spurs committed an unfair practice that caused actual damages to the class members.  Part of Larry's theory of damages is that the class members paid more per ticket to see the Spurs than they would have paid to see the quality of team that showed up on November 29, 2012, i.e., the Spurs without their best players.

Honestly, I don't hate this lawsuit.  I think it is interesting.  Lots of slippery slope questions come to mind though, for example, if Larry wins, will there be a notice requirement for teams to report injuries to fans and to the NBA?  Could this lawsuit stop pre-draft tanking?  Here is a link to Larry's complaint.