Opinion ID: 70428
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Defendant is an Amusement or Recreational Establishment

Text: 24 Defendant claims that it is clearly an amusement or recreational establishment as contemplated under the provisions of the FLSA. Amusements or recreational establishments are establishments frequented by the public for its amusement or recreation. Brock, 817 F.2d at 1257, citing 29 C.F.R. Sec. 779.385. The Court finds that Sarasota White Sox, Inc. is an amusement and recreational establishment pursuant to 29 U.S.C. Sec. 213. 25  'Sports events' are among those types of recreational activities specifically considered by Congress to be covered by the exemption. Bridewell, et al. v. The Cincinnati Reds, Case No. C-1-92-203 (S.D.Oh.) Report and Recommendation of February 14, 1994, p. 5 adopted and modified by District Court Judge on March 24, 1994 (Summary judgment granted in favor of the Cincinnati Reds; as owner of a Major League baseball franchise who played games at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds fell within the realm of an amusement and recreational establishment and were not required to pay maintenance workers overtime), citing H.R.Rep. No. 871, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. 35 (1965); see also Wage and Hour Opinion Letter No. 623, Lab.L.Rep. (CCH) p 30,612 (June 22, 1967). 26 This Court finds that the Defendant's status as an amusement and recreational establishment is not rendered inapplicable by the fact that Defendant does not own the sports complex in which it operates. See Bridewell, Report and Recommendation at 6, citing S.Rep. No. 145, 87th Cong., 1st Sess. 28 (1961); H.R.Rep. No. 871, 89th Cong., 1st Sess. 35 (1965) (Lessees or independent contractors, such as concessionaires, and inherently mobile establishments, such as carnivals and circuses, none of which would be expected to own the real property upon which they operate, were clearly contemplated by Congress as being covered by the exemption).