Sept 17, V7N - The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) filed lawsuits on Monday against four major sportsbooks, accusing them of using the names and likenesses of players without proper authorization. The lawsuit targets DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, and Underdog Fantasy, seeking compensatory and punitive damages for these alleged violations.

The lawsuits claim that these companies have engaged in "flagrant" breaches of state laws designed to protect the rights of public figures like professional athletes. The MLBPA argues that the unauthorized use of players' images on sports betting platforms, websites, and mobile apps could potentially mislead users into believing the athletes support sports betting.

The cases against DraftKings and bet365 are being handled in a Philadelphia federal court, while FanDuel and Underdog Fantasy will face lawsuits in New York state court. According to the MLBPA, controlling the commercial use of their identities is a vital right for athletes, helping them avoid associations with brands or industries they do not support. The players' union emphasized that this control is a crucial aspect of their return on their career investments.

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