DraftKings and MLB Players Resolve Legal Dispute

Settlement Ends Legal Conflict Between DraftKings and MLBPA

DraftKings has successfully settled its legal dispute with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), concluding a lengthy court case. The disagreement centered on the unauthorized use of MLB players’ names and images by DraftKings in its applications and social media campaigns.

Details of the Lawsuit

The MLB Players Association accused DraftKings and Bet365 of using the names, likenesses, and images of all MLB players to market their services without proper licensing agreements. This prompted the MLBPA to pursue legal action seeking damages and penalties.

DraftKings defended its actions by claiming that its use of player imagery was justified because its products delivered newsworthy content. This defense referenced a previous Indiana case involving FanDuel, where daily fantasy sports products were granted certain exemptions based on their journalistic value.

However, U.S. District Judge Karen Spencer Marston disagreed with this defense, ruling that DraftKings’ use of player imagery was commercial in nature rather than journalistic. Consequently, she denied DraftKings’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which had been requested a year earlier.

In September 2025, the two parties reached an agreement to settle the matter. Following this settlement, Judge Marston issued an official dismissal order, formally concluding the case.

Previous Controversies Surrounding DraftKings

This lawsuit with the MLBPA is not the first instance where DraftKings has faced criticism for its use of player imagery. Currently, the company is also confronting a complaint from the NCAA regarding unauthorized usage of the March Madness brand for promoting its sports betting offerings.

Beyond image rights issues, DraftKings is under scrutiny for the potentially addictive nature of its micro-betting products. Additionally, the company has been accused of employing misleading language in its marketing strategies that may downplay the risks associated with gambling.