National Basketball Ass'n v. Williams

WINTER, Circuit Judge:

Appellants, who are professional basketball players and their union, appeal Judge Duffy’s dismissal of their counterclaim and grant of declaratory relief to the National Basketball Association (the “NBA”) and its member teams (collectively, the “NBA Teams”). Judge Duffy held that: (i) the antitrust laws have no application to the collective bargaining negotiations between appellants and the NBA Teams; and (ii) even if the antitrust laws apply, the “College Draft,” “Right Of First Refusal,” and “Revenue Sharing/Salary Cap System” survive scrutiny under the Rule of Reason.…