Report: NFL Already Facing Lawsuit Over Canceled Hall Of Fame Game
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- When the National Football League was forced to cancel their annual Hall of Fame Game just hours before kickoff, it created more than just a public relations problem for itself. Botching the paint on the field in embarrassing fashion has presented the league with legal issues, too.
Attorney Michael Avenatti told Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk Live that he is planning to file a lawsuit against the league by Friday in the wake of the canceled Hall Of Fame Game in Canton, which according to PFT could include claims by over 22,000 fans who bought tickets and/or attended the non-game.
Avenatti said that he has not finalized exactly what legal avenue he and his plaintiffs plan to take, but the suit could be focused on claims of negligence, breaches of contract, and/or punitive damages on the part of the league.
The NFL reportedly spent $20 million fighting a legal battle against fans who bought tickets to Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas but were not afforded the corresponding seats that they paid for. That suit contained only 150 plaintiffs; if the number of claims made in the canceled Hall Of Fame Game really do stretch into the thousands, the NFL is looking at a very expensive fight, even if they decide to settle out of court.
Maybe this is something that could get the boulder rolling against Roger Goodell's tenure as commissioner? In a summer where Goodell has won numerous legal and financial battles, it's about time he and the league took a hit. And this Hall of Fame Game debacle could turn out to be a haymaker.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
