Maurice Clarett, a former running back for Ohio State University and a Big Ten Freshman of the
Question:
Maurice Clarett, a former running back for Ohio State University and a Big Ten Freshman of the Year, wanted to enter the NFL draft. However, Clarett was precluded under the NFL’s current rules governing draft eligibility. Clarett was a season shy of the three necessary to qualify under the draft’s eligibility rules. The NFL’s collective bargaining group and the NFL Players Association, which is the players’ union, agreed on the most recent version of the eligibility requirement. The eligibility requirement is intended to promote college attendance and has existed almost as long as the NFL. Clarett filed suit, alleging that the NFL’s draft eligibility rules are an unreasonable restraint of trade in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1, and Section 4 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 15. Clarett sought summary judgment on the merits of his antitrust claim. The NFL asserted that Clarett lacked “antitrust standing” and, as a matter of law, that the eligibility rules were immune from antitrust attack by virtue of the nonstatutory labor exemption. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of Clarett and ordered him eligible to enter that year’s draft. The NFL appealed. How did the court rule on appeal? Why?
Step by Step Answer:
Dynamic Business Law
ISBN: 9781260247893
5th Edition
Authors: Nancy Kubasek, M. Neil Browne, Daniel Herron, Lucien Dhooge, Linda Barkacs