Henderson Broadcasting Corp. v. Houston Sports Association
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
541 F. Supp. 263 (1982)
- Written by Steven Pacht, JD
Facts
Henderson Broadcasting Corporation (Henderson) (plaintiff) had a contract with Houston Sports Association, Inc. (HSA) (defendant), the owner of the major-league Houston Astros (club), to broadcast the club’s games. HSA also contracted with Lake Huron Broadcasting Corporation (Huron) (defendant) to broadcast the club’s games. After HSA cancelled Henderson’s contract, Henderson sued HSA and Huron, alleging, among other things, violation of the Clayton Antitrust Act. HSA and Huron moved to dismiss the complaint based on the immunity of Major League Baseball (MLB) from antitrust liability, as recognized by the United States Supreme Court in Federal Baseball Club of Baltimore, Inc. v. National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Toolson v. New York Yankees, Inc., and Flood v. Kuhn. Henderson responded that these precedents did not apply to all aspects of MLB but only to such activities that were integral to the sport and that broadcasting games did not qualify. Henderson further argued that Congress intentionally did not extend MLB’s antitrust immunity to radio broadcasting of MLB games.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (McDonald, J.)
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