American Needle vs. the NFL

This case is actually what I did my paper on. To try to make an extremely long story short - here's the readers digest version. In 2002 the NFL signed a 10 year deal with Reebok to be the EXCLUSIVE manufacturer of hats and apparel with NFL logos on them. This effectively cut out every other manufacturer that was making this stuff. A company in Northern Illinois took exception to this and filed suit (based on anti-trust law). American Needle lost and has continued to appeal. It is now being considered by the Supreme Court - based on the NFL's suggestion! The NFL sees an opportunity here. IF they can get the Court to recognize their organization to be viewed as a single entity (rather that 32 separate teams) then they will no longer be subject to anti-trust laws (as far as things just inside the NFL are concerned). If the NFL gets the ruling they want it will change the face of professional sports for ever.

To read more go here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=4336261