Document: 352 U.S. 445 77 S.Ct. 390 1 L.Ed.2d 456 William RADOVICH, Petitioner,v.NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, Bert Bell, J. Rufus Klawans, et al. No. 94. Argued Jan. 17, 1957. Decided Feb. 25, Rehearing Denied April 8, See 353 931, 716. Mr. Maxwell Keith, San Francisco, Cal., for the petitioner. Philip Elman, Washington, D.C., United States, as amicus curiae. Messrs. Marshall E. Leahy, and Bernard I. Nordlinger, respondents. Justice CLARK delivered opinion of Court. This action treble damages injunctive relief, brought under § 4 Clayton Act,1 tests application antitrust laws to business professional football. Petitioner Radovich, an all-pro guard formerly with Detroit Lions, contends that respondents2 entered into a conspiracy monopolize control organized football in violation §§ 2 Sherman Act;3 part was destroy All-America Conference, competitive league which Radovich once played; pursuant agreement, respondents boycotted prevented him from becoming player-coach Pacific Coast League. alleges respondents' illegal conduct damaged sum $35,000, be trebled provided by Act. The trial court, on motion, dismissed cause lack jurisdiction failure state claim relief could granted. Court Appeals affirmed, 9 Cir., 231 F.2d 620, basis Federal Base Ball Club Baltimore v. National League, 1922, 259 200, 42 465, 66 L.Ed. 898, Toolson New York Yankees, Inc., 1953, 346 356, 74 78, 98 64, applying baseball rule all 'team sports.' It further found even if such erroneous States International Boxing Club, 1955, 348 236, 75 259, 99 290, applied, had not grounded his 'calculated prejudice public or unreasonably restrain interstate commerce.' at page 623. We granted certiorari, 818, 34, order clarify doctrine determine whether comes within scope For reasons hereafter stated we conclude do control; activities alleged are coverage laws; complaint states thereunder. Since its allegations must taken us true. is, therefore, important consider what alleged. Concisely that: 3 1. began career 1938 when he signed League Club. After four seasons play Navy, returning, Lions 1945 season. In 1946 asked transfer club Los Angeles because illness father. refused broke player contract signing playing 1947 Dons, member Conference.4 1948 Francisco Clippers, affiliated but competitor offered employ player-coach. However, advised blacklisted any would suffer severe penalties. Clippers then sign position. black-listing effectively employment States. 2. result among commerce purpose 'control, regulate dictate terms upon shall played throughout States' boy-cott Conference players view destruction thus strengthen monopolistic position Football 5 3. As business, respondent teams schedule games various metropolitan centers, including York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Angeles. Each team uses standard prohibits another without consent holding player's contract. These contracts enforced agreement clubs black-list violating them visit penalties recalcitrant clubs. 'part itself' 'directly tied connected' exhibitions is transmission over radio television nearly every State Union. accomplished produce 'significant portion gross receipts' 'the operating profitable.' themselves 'is essential broadcasting television' actions against were necessarily related these activities. 6 light raise two issues: They say intended Congress included and, wrong this contention, does can II. 7 Respondents' boiled down, agreements similar those complained here, have many years been used baseball, held outside laws.5 point Toolson, supra, both involving asserting has embraced same techniques existed time former decision.6 contend stare decisis compels here. True, umbrella hope stand so large contended nor Shubert, 222, 277, 279. There extend boxing theater. Here sanctions find it necessary impose no counterpart other businesses that, they alone ambit continued hold placed there some 31 earlier Ball. did concluded more harm done overruling than upholding ruling best dubious validity. Vast efforts gone development organization since decision enormous capital invested reliance permanence. chosen make change.7 All this, combined flood litigation follow repudiation, harassment ensue, retroactive effect decision, led practical should sustain unequivocal line authority reaching years. 8 careful restrict Toolson's following judgment only far 'determines intention federal laws.' Supra, 357, 79. reiterated 230, 282, where said, 'In short, narrow decisis.' And again, added, 'Toolson neither overruled Baseball reaffirmed said Baseball. * exempting merely circumstance also based performance local exhibitions.' 242, 262. Furthermore, discussing impact made observation 'could relied exemption segments entertainment athletic otherwise. controlling consideration degree activity involved particular review.' Id., pages 242—243, seems language clear isolate cases limiting still cited fields now specifically limit established facts involved, i.e., baseball. long continues acquiesce adhere to—but extend—the interpretation Act cases. theater believed volume each—the rationale Ball—was Likewise, places provisions If unrealistic, inconsistent, illogical, sufficient answer, aside distinctions between businesses,8 considering question first clean slate doubts. But No claiming adjudication. We, orderly way eliminate error discrimination, be, legislation court decision. Congressional processes accommodative, affording whole industry hearings opportunity assist formulation new legislation. resulting product therefore likely protect alike. congressional known advance effective dates set future injustices retroactivity surprise might action. Of course, yield sufferance. approach. Davis Department Labor, 1942, 317 249, 255, 63 225, 228, 87 246;9 compare Rutkin 1952, 343 130, 72 571, 96 833. III. 10 turn sufficiency complaint. At outset nature extent seem sufficient. addition allegations, specific significant, integral being difference profit loss. Unlike Boxing, definite percentage regard. amount substantial easily out proof. substantial, alleged, meet requirements 241, 261. 11 technical objections pleading merit. test laid down Holmes Hart B. F. Keith Vaudeville Exchange, 262 271, 274, 43 540, 541, 67 977 (1923), wholly frivolous.' While precise concerning conspiracy, 'we prepared nothing extracted bill falls act *.' 541. Employing Plasterers Ass'n, 1954, 347 186, 452, 618. 12 Petitioner's need 'tested Act's general prohibition unreasonable restraints trade,' Times-Picayune Publishing Co. 345 594, 614, 73 872, 883, 97 1277, requirement petitioner thereby suffered injury. has, legislative fiat, determined prohibited injurious public10 allowing private enforcement aggrieved party. victims forbidden practices well public. Mandeville Island Farms, American Crystal Sugar Co., 1948, 334 219, 68 996, 1006, 92 1328. itself litigant most favorable through enactment Act.11 Emich Motors Corp. General Corp., 1951, 340 558, 71 408, 95 534. face policy add burden beyond forth laws. 13 remaining contentions believe lacking 14 think entitled prove charges. express have, fact, violated laws, leaving determination after in. 15 Reversed. 16 FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 17 difficult problem case derives me Law relation appropriate compulsion decisis. derive conscientious probing text interstices fails disclose Congress, whose will enforcing excluded baseball—the conditions sport carried on—from I fully aware Law's applicability turns circumstances pursued trade several enterprise limits all, judicial determination, conscious am my limited competence matters athletic, yet hear providing laws,' equally applicable 18 considerations pertaining serious me. That principle vital ingredient law, 'embodies social policy.' Helvering Hallock, 309 106, 119, 60 444, 451, 84 604. disregard judge stubbornly persist views issue contrary become tissue law. Until then, full respect require forego own convictions promptly brethren rejected them. 19 governed ago lost their force reason gives single confronted case, guides present situation scope, which, while looks way, left living authority. Respect disrespect expressed case. 20 affirm. 21 HARLAN, whom BRENNAN joins, 22 What foreshadowed come pass. Court, subject says sui generis concerned, unable distinguish attributing put class itself, affirm below. 23 decisions changed, better leave dealt becloud further, either making untenable sports, discriminatory fiat favor 38 Stat. 731, U.S.C. 15, U.S.C.A. reads follows: 4. person who injured property anything may sue therefor district defendant resides agent, controversy, recover threefold sustained, cost suit, reasonable attorney's fee.' Injunctive 737, 26, 26. include League; filed: Boston Yanks, Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Cardinals, Green Bay Packers; defunct pacific Commissioner 26 209, 1, pertinent part: Every contract, combination form trust otherwise, restraint declared 2, monopolize, attempt combine conspire persons, deemed guilty misdemeanor operated 1949 disbanded. contention pleadings, factual establishing claimed similarity extension sports. 1951 separate bills introduced exempt sports None enacted. H.R. 4229, 4230, 4231, S. 1526, 82d Cong., 1st Sess. 1951. Consideration basic differences, any, businesses, draft system, use affiliations, training facilities techniques, etc., concurring language: 'Such desirable end cannot achieved repudiation Jensen doctrine. (Southern Pac. Jensen, 244 205, 37 524.)' 230. Apex Hosiery Leader, 1940, 310 469, 982, 1311, said: 'The sought prevention free competition commercial transactions tended production, prices otherwise market detriment purchasers consumers goods services, regarded special injury.' (Emphasis supplied.) 493, 992. Standard Sanitary Mfg. 1912, 226 20, 33 9, 57 107, speaking law measure right wrong, permits forbids, courts up supposed accommodation good parties, results.' 49, 15. 16, declares final proceedings Government subsequent damage establishes prima facie

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