October Term 2009 · Docket 08-661
Does the NFL act as a single entity for trademark licensing?
American Needle seeks to sue the NFL for antitrust violations. The NFL claims it acts as one business unit.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Nager argued the NFL is a joint venture.
Mr. Stewart argued the United States supports neither side.
Mr. Levy argued league formation may face scrutiny.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 33-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 33-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 31-17 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 31-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-45
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether the NFL counts as one entity. This status shields the league from antitrust lawsuits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 33-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 33-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 13, 2010.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 21-23
What each side wants
American Needle wants the NFL treated as separate competitors.
The NFL wants the league treated as a single entity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 33-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 33-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-39
What each side says
American Needle argues the NFL is a joint venture.
The NFL argues the league functions as one business.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 33-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 33-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-39
What the justices asked
Justice Kennedy asked about the scope of rule of reason.
Justice Sotomayor asked about the difference in joint ventures.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 31-17 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 31-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-45
Why it matters
This case defines the legal status of professional sports leagues. It determines whether leagues face antitrust liability for collective actions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 33-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 33-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-3 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 31-17 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 31-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 17-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 17-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 37-3 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 37-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-45
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 33-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 33-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 51-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 33-27 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 33-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 27-7 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 27-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-39 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.