It seems that Major League Baseball has hit a home run early this week before the U.S. Court of Appeals considering a contest to the sport’s long-running antitrust exemption.
A panel involving three judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, was a little skeptical of legal arguments brought by the city of San Jose, California. The city wanted to be the future home for the Oakland Athletics team and claims the league and its team owners are in violation of the antitrust law that blocked the Athletics from making a move.
The city is saying that baseball’s exemption from antitrust laws should be carefully be read into within the context of player labor matters and shouldn’t apply to commercial matters such as relocation.
The 9th Circuit panel indicated its displeasure early and frequently. Alex Kozinski, a Chief Judge, indicated his own court’s decisions gave an interpretation of the exemption broadly.
Major League Baseball encouraged the Supreme Court not to be involved.
A court ruling is expected soon.
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