Every article I see on the video taping incident, and now this lawsuit, uses the word "illegal" or "illegally" (i.e. The Patiots illegally video taped)
Now I love the NFL and think it's great, but I'm pretty sure that the NFL Rules & Regulations are NOT the law of the United States in any form. At least, when I was in law school they certainly never went over them in any of my classes, and something as important as the NFL I certainly would have heard about. Now I admit, I didn't study every aspect of the law (class action suits being one of those areas - i do criminal law) but I at least HEARD about class action suits. I also took a class on entertainment law (hey, I'd love to be an agent!!) and no mention there about the NFL rules and regs either... Picky I'm sure, but apparently some people seem to take it literally.
Secondly, there seems to be this sentiment out there that this is going to force the Pats to tell the whole story to the media, finally force Belichick to tell us everything. I've got bad news for you....it isn't. My (limited) understanding of class-action is just filing it isn't enough, then it must be certified by a judge. I'm finding it difficult to believe that this "law suit" is going to find certification.
In the case that this isn't the law in New Jersey, I'm sure the very first pre-trial motion that will be brought by the Patriots lawyers (assuming the Pats think it's even worthwhile to send them) is to dismiss the suit...and I have very little doubt that it will be dismissed. Remember a few years ago when some fatty sued McDonalds for making him fat? Did you hear about the trial? No, that is because it was so ridiculous that the suit was dismissed BEFORE trial. I can't imagine a single person on this earth stupid enough to think that this suit has merit, including the lawyers who filed it.
So for everyone salivating over Belichick finally being forced to tell them everything, I think you will unfortunately be waiting for a while longer. There will be no trial, there will be no arguments, there will be no need for the Pats to explain their actions to defend themselves. Heck, the NFL might even be the ones fighting this because if this suit were to succeed (in some bizzaro universe) the NFL would be bankrupt. A fan could file similar suits every time a team breaks any rule whatsoever for "deceiving customers" and we know that breaking and bending goes on all the time.
The thing that is most outrageous about this, is that these publicity hounds have finally found a cause that will get them some name recognition (that they obviously crave) and they do so without any remorse for helping to grind the courts to a standstill while people with legitimate injuries/etc... sit on the sidelines to watch this circus.
Disgusting
Now I love the NFL and think it's great, but I'm pretty sure that the NFL Rules & Regulations are NOT the law of the United States in any form. At least, when I was in law school they certainly never went over them in any of my classes, and something as important as the NFL I certainly would have heard about. Now I admit, I didn't study every aspect of the law (class action suits being one of those areas - i do criminal law) but I at least HEARD about class action suits. I also took a class on entertainment law (hey, I'd love to be an agent!!) and no mention there about the NFL rules and regs either... Picky I'm sure, but apparently some people seem to take it literally.
Secondly, there seems to be this sentiment out there that this is going to force the Pats to tell the whole story to the media, finally force Belichick to tell us everything. I've got bad news for you....it isn't. My (limited) understanding of class-action is just filing it isn't enough, then it must be certified by a judge. I'm finding it difficult to believe that this "law suit" is going to find certification.
In the case that this isn't the law in New Jersey, I'm sure the very first pre-trial motion that will be brought by the Patriots lawyers (assuming the Pats think it's even worthwhile to send them) is to dismiss the suit...and I have very little doubt that it will be dismissed. Remember a few years ago when some fatty sued McDonalds for making him fat? Did you hear about the trial? No, that is because it was so ridiculous that the suit was dismissed BEFORE trial. I can't imagine a single person on this earth stupid enough to think that this suit has merit, including the lawyers who filed it.
So for everyone salivating over Belichick finally being forced to tell them everything, I think you will unfortunately be waiting for a while longer. There will be no trial, there will be no arguments, there will be no need for the Pats to explain their actions to defend themselves. Heck, the NFL might even be the ones fighting this because if this suit were to succeed (in some bizzaro universe) the NFL would be bankrupt. A fan could file similar suits every time a team breaks any rule whatsoever for "deceiving customers" and we know that breaking and bending goes on all the time.
The thing that is most outrageous about this, is that these publicity hounds have finally found a cause that will get them some name recognition (that they obviously crave) and they do so without any remorse for helping to grind the courts to a standstill while people with legitimate injuries/etc... sit on the sidelines to watch this circus.
Disgusting